Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease, status post bypass grafting, did not manifest during her active military service or within one year of discharge. The Board also found no evidence to support a finding that the condition was incurred or aggravated by INACDUTRA.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection was previously denied for ischemic optic neuropathy due to lack of evidence linking it to herbicide or radiation exposure. The claim has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for high cholesterol and a heart disorder was denied as there is no evidence of present disability. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's CIDP and CAD are found to be the result of his in-service exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete medical records and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, diagnosed as coronary artery disease, is currently rated at 60 percent. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for coronary artery disease and penile deformity with erectile dysfunction were denied. The Veteran was not granted a rating higher than the initial 60 percent assigned for his CAD, as there was no evidence of chronic congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction less than 30 percent. For his erectile dysfunction, he did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is currently rated at 30 percent from April 27, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this period and denies entitlement to TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was denied, and his TDIU claim prior to September 5, 2014, was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, dysthymia and depressive disorder NOS, a back disability, hypertension, and prostate cancer. The acquired psychiatric disorder is presumed due to herbicide exposure during the Gulf War. Service connection was denied for edema of the lower extremities, heart disability, and dental condition.

The Veteran's request for service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure is being remanded because the hearing scheduled by VA was not properly notified and therefore invalidated. The case will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction.

The Veteran's service-connected depression is rated at 70 percent since the grant of service connection, and he has been granted secondary service connection for hypertension and CAD. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to evaluate his coronary heart disease, hypertension, and lower extremity disability. The service connection claims will also be addressed.

The Veteran's heart condition and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during a qualifying period of active military service, and there is no showing of herbicide exposure. The Board denied the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's heart disability, including atrial fibrillation, arrhythmia, transient ischemic attack, and coronary artery disease, is being remanded for additional development to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has granted a 100% rating for coronary artery disease since September 24, 2014 and has also found service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's heart disorder and hypertension have been reopened, but service connection for these conditions is not established as they are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and coronary artery disease have been granted increased ratings, with the anxiety disorder receiving a 70% rating effective December 6, 2016.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, and early cataracts have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU.