Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for coronary artery disease and service connection for hypertension, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus with diabetic neuropathy and coronary artery disease have been granted as they are presumed to be due to Agent Orange exposure.,For the remaining conditions, further examination is needed to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 7, 2011, for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease and ischemic heart disease was denied as there was no formal or informal claim prior to September 17, 2010. The earliest date on which entitlement arose is considered to be April 7, 2011.

The Veteran's Parkinson's Disease and Ischemic Heart Disease are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service, and the Board has granted service connection for both conditions.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a thorough examination and analysis regarding whether the Veteran currently has a heart disability that is related to his service, including as a result of herbicide exposure. The issue will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's son is not eligible for accrued benefits due to the Veteran as he does not meet the eligibility criteria, including being a child under 23 years old or permanently incapable of self-support before age 18.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of coronary artery disease with hypertension was denied in May 1997, but the decision remained pending and unadjudicated due to a change of address. The effective date is now set at June 30, 1996.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain the Veteran's Army Reserve records and to provide addendum medical etiology opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 2, 2011 and in excess of 30 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain any form of substantially gainful employment since October 13, 2009. Prior to that date, he was still employed as a truck driver.

The Veteran is granted specially adapted housing due to multiple service-connected disabilities, including the loss or use of the left lower extremity and residuals of organic disease/injury affecting balance and propulsion. The issue of a special home adaptation grant is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for OSA, finding that it began in service and is related to his active duty. The heart disability claim was withdrawn by the Veteran before a decision could be made. Service connection for PLMD was also granted as secondary to OSA.

The Veteran's heart disability was not incurred in service, is not presumed to have been incurred in service, and is not proximately due to, a result of, or aggravated by, a service-connected disability. The Board denied the claims for service connection.

The Veteran seeks service connection for heart disease, TMJ, sleep apnea, and tinnitus. The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to the complexity of the issues.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease resulted in a workload of greater than 5 METs but not greater than 7 METs and resulted in dyspnea, fatigue, and angina. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, both presumed due to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam, have been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence has been submitted to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for bilateral pes planus, hypertension, heart disorder, respiratory disorder, sinus disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for coronary artery disease (CAD), finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The claim for TDIU prior to June 11, 2012, was also denied.

The Veteran's CAD has been rated at 10 percent since May 2007. The claim for right knee strain and left knee osteoarthritis have been reopened, but the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 7005.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need to verify herbicide exposure in Korea.