Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims for an initial rating for coronary artery disease in excess of 10 percent prior to November 10, 2010, and in excess of 60 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's heart disability is not service-connected, and his lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity neuralgia disabilities are rated at the maximum allowed under VA guidelines. The Board finds no basis to grant any of the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is granted as due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the cause of his death (respiratory failure due to pneumonia) is not linked to his military service. The Veteran did not require aid and attendance solely due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed because he withdrew his request for a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease has been denied, and the Board is remanding the case to schedule a video conference hearing at the RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, which resolved in favor of granting SMC based on aid and attendance prior to his death.

The Veteran's heart disease and prostate cancer were not found to be related to service, including presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The appeals for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, family relations, judgment, thinking and mood. The tumor on the left side of the throat was incurred during active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, claimed as the result of exposure to Agent Orange, is denied because there was no evidence of in-service exposure or a link between his current condition and service.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities is 60 percent from February 24, 2014. The Board finds that referral for extraschedular consideration for the period since June 2009 is not warranted as the Veteran is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by sedentary jobs.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with a maximum disability rating of 100 percent for hypertensive heart disease. The Board also found evidence of chronic congestive heart failure (CHF) and remanded the left hand disability issue.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings were denied. The bilateral eye disability, atherosclerotic coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are all rated at their maximum levels.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted, with the condition being considered a direct result of his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, foot disability (jungle rot), PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, diabetic nephropathy, and prostate cancer. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for prostate cancer prior to March 1, 2016 was also denied.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is currently manifested by an ejection fraction greater than 50 percent, use of continuous medication, and a work load of between 7 and 10 metabolic equivalents (METs) resulting in dyspnea, fatigue and angina. The Board finds that the disability does not meet the requirements for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, diabetes mellitus Type II, erectile dysfunction, coronary artery disease, gluteal cleft scar, and facial scar prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board grants the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting the grant of TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's bone cancer and heart disorder are not related to his active duty military service, including as secondary to his service-connected left knee and left ankle disabilities. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board found no current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease and denied the claim for service connection.