Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and heart disorder did not have their onset during his period of active duty service, nor were they otherwise related to any period of service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease has not met the criteria for a higher rating under DC 7007, as his symptoms do not warrant a 60 percent disability rating based on METs and left ventricular ejection fraction.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, coronary artery disease, and service connection for sinusitis, low back disorder, neuropathy of the hands and feet, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction. The VA examinations indicated that the current conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for consideration of new evidence submitted since August 2015. The claim will be returned to the Board after review.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 30 percent rating.,Prior to April 20, 2010, the Veteran's CAD was manifested by an ability to perform a workload of more than 7 to 10 METs with dyspnea, fatigue, and angina, warranting a 30 percent rating. Since April 20, 2010, but no earlier, his CAD has been manifested by an ability to perform a workload of more than 3 METs (metabolic equivalent) but not greater than 5 METs with dyspnea, fatigue, and angina; warranting a 60 percent rating.,Since January 27, 2008, but no earlier, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for his award of service connection for coronary artery disease as it is a bar to filing such a claim.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease during a hearing, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.

The Veteran's tinnitus, prostate cancer, and ischemic heart disease are granted service connection as related to Agent Orange exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent since January 8, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability and shoulder disability, as well as his claim for TDIU based on these disabilities, have all been denied due to the lack of evidence showing that he has any current service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is found to be related to service, and his HTN is found to be proximately due to his cystic kidneys. The heart disorder is also found to be proximately due to the Veteran's HTN.,The Veteran has a psychiatric disorder that is proximately due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, finding that the Veteran may be presumed to have been exposed to herbicides at the DMZ in Korea. The appeal for an earlier effective date for major depressive disorder is dismissed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work. The case will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding medical records and providing a new VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's primary or contributory causes of death were due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's current coronary artery disease is proximately due to his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another or on account of being housebound is currently pending. The case has been REMANDED due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bruxism, increased ratings for heart disease and bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD. The decision found that bruxism is not a compensable disability, while the heart condition was rated at 30 percent, which is consistent with the current level of impairment. Bilateral hearing loss did not meet criteria for higher ratings under VA rating schedules.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have ischemic heart disease and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and coronary artery disease do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his heart disability, specifically whether it is related to or caused by his service-connected lung disability. The case will be readjudicated after this development.