Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU was remanded by the Board due to insufficient medical information regarding his employability. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all outstanding records, provide another opportunity for the Veteran to submit evidence, and arrange for a VA examination to assess the functional impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sarcoidosis and heart condition are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hypertension and psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an updated opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his heart/cardiac disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and ensure all relevant documents are associated with his electronic claims file.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart condition, manifested by a cardiac murmur, preexisted service and was not aggravated or caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current heart condition or diagnosed COPD and pneumonia, and thus denied service connection for residuals of blood poisoning.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and a rating in excess of 30 percent for nephropathy with hypertension and edema. The TDIU claim was granted, but at a lower rating than requested.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine if he was exposed to herbicide agents and asbestos during service, which could affect his claims for heart disability, diabetes mellitus, and respiratory disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated VA and private treatment records, as well as a new VA examination. The TDIU issue is also being addressed on this basis.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied as there was no prior application for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen service connection for a respiratory disability, sinusitis, and heart disease. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to December 7, 1990 for the award of PTSD. The issues regarding reopening service connection claims for hypertension and a heart disability, as well as the propriety of withholding compensation benefits due to incarceration, are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected coronary artery disease and his chronic congestive heart failure.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal, including all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's vertigo/Meniere's disease and heart condition are not found to be related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected conditions. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to September 6, 2016 was denied as there was no evidence showing more than the required METS level.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for CAD since September 6, 2016 was also denied due to the METS levels not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's additional disability was not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill. The event was not reasonably foreseeable.

The Veteran is entitled to an effective date of July 31, 2008 for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the impact of his service-connected conditions on his lower extremities, including whether they have resulted in loss or use of one or both feet.