Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disability and an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for CAD. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his CAD and degenerative disc disease was also granted.

The Veteran's CAD was rated at 30 percent from January 22, 2010 until February 11, 2011. From February 11, 2011 to June 13, 2014, the rating was increased to 60 percent. The Veteran experienced a myocardial infarction (MI) on June 13, 2014, which warranted a 100% rating from that date until September 13, 2014. From September 13, 2014 forward, the Veteran's CAD was rated at 60 percent.

The VA determined that the Veteran's heart condition and lower extremity disability, including peripheral neuropathy and myopathy, were not caused by or aggravated by VA treatment. The VA found no evidence of substandard care from VA providers.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development, including scheduling a hearing at the RO or via videoconference. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's spine disorder and heart disorder are not service-connected, with the exception of a finding that the Veteran's arthritis is not attributable to service. The issue regarding the heart disorder as secondary to asthma with COPD remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's heart condition and whether his ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA service is applicable in determining its onset.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected COPD (asbestosis) and for a heart disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected coronary artery disease and PTSD have been denied. The current ratings of 10 percent for CAD and 50 percent for PTSD are not considered adequate to reflect the severity of the disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, IHD, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 1, 2013.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for ischemic heart disease prior to October 17, 2016 is denied. The claim of TDIU prior to June 12, 2014 is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, claimed as a result of exposure to Agent Orange, is being remanded due to inadequate development by the AOJ.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disorder, including coronary artery disease, mixed dyslipidemia, and residuals of a myocardial infarction, is not service-connected. The claim for high cholesterol was also denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for duodenal ulcer, heart disease, and depression. The Veteran's colon cancer residuals are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected infectious mononucleosis, and his throat condition is not related to his history of mononucleosis.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's heart disease and left leg blockage are being remanded as they may be related to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to have been caused by his exposure to Agent Orange while stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam era, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease was initially rated as noncompensable from October 9, 2008 to May 4, 2010. From May 5, 2010 to May 10, 2011, the disability was rated at 30 percent disabling; and, from May 11, 2011 through April 9, 2015, it was rated as 60 percent. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating is granted with an initial 30 percent rating effective May 11, 2011.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease has not been shown to warrant a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The Veteran's service connection claims for prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, erectile dysfunction, and right ear hearing loss are all granted due to exposure to Agent Orange during his military service. The Veteran is also granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his prostate cancer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM), coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), erectile dysfunction (ED), and hypertension are all attributable to service. The conditions were presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for additional evidentiary development, including obtaining a list of personnel assigned to the USS Chara from June 1971 through August 1971. The Veteran's claim remains pending and will be readjudicated after this information is obtained.