Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, pes planus, and coronary artery disease, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that TDIU is warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran did not file a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) regarding the February 2008 rating decision, which denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and heart condition. The claims are being reconsidered due to new evidence received after the original claim became final.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's IHD was granted service connection effective October 16, 2007. The RO assigned a 30 percent rating for the disability.,Service connection for LLE and RLE peripheral neuropathy were granted effective June 21, 2012. Each condition received a 20 percent initial rating.

The Veteran's heart disability warrants a staged initial rating of 10 percent prior to May 14, 2013, and an increased 30 percent from that date to March 31, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn in its entirety.

The Board finds that the Veteran's heart disorder is not related to his military service and denies his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability and granted service connection.,Service connection is also granted for heart disease, as it is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicide agents on his ship during service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's death was due to ischemic heart disease, which is service-connected. DIC benefits were granted effective February 1, 1988 and terminated May 1, 1992 when the appellant remarried before reaching age 57.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, which includes the need for assistance with activities such as dressing, grooming, preparing meals, attending to personal hygiene needs, taking medications, and protection from environmental hazards.

The Veteran's valvular heart disease and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.,For the remaining issues, the decision will be provided separately.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for new and material evidence to reopen the stroke, diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, and peripheral neuropathy claims was granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various conditions, including ischemic heart disease and type II diabetes mellitus, all claimed as due to herbicide exposure. The Board is remanding the case for further development regarding herbicide exposure at Takhli RTAFB in Thailand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current lumbar spine disorder, prostate disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, or heart disorder for which service connection can be granted.,As such, the claims of entitlement to service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and coronary artery disease, have met the criteria for a TDIU since April 1, 2012. The claim is granted.

The Board has found that the Veteran's upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and heart disability are not service connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus to his military service. The claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions addressing potential aggravation by service-connected foot disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 13, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastrointestinal, kidney condition (nephropathy), heart disorder, and right arm disorder are not service connected due to lack of evidence showing their onset during or within one year after service. The hypertension claim is also denied as it did not manifest within a year of discharge.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted, with the exception of his claim for service connection for a muscle cramp disability over the flank region. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.