Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease. The Veteran is also asked to complete a VA Form 21-8940 regarding his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD and IHD were not sufficiently incapacitating as to produce unemployability prior to May 29, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inconsistencies in the VA examination reports and for consideration of a TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart condition is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine his employability due to service-connected disabilities from April 5, 2013 to present.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease are presumed to be related to his service in Thailand due to herbicide exposure. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for ischemic heart disease has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and ischemic heart disease are granted effective February 23, 2001. The effective date for the increased rating of PTSD is denied as there was no increase in severity prior to May 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lower spine disorder, prostate disorder, and heart disorder were not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD claim was granted, but his CAD increased rating claim was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating prior to November 23, 2015 and thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have ischemic heart disease and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The claim of reopening the hypertension claim was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, and Parkinson's disease based on the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service. The effective date is not specified in the decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected valvular heart disability does not render her in need of regular aid and attendance due to physical or mental incapacity, as her limitations are primarily attributed to her blindness. The Board finds that she is not entitled to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease and ischemic heart disease, both presumed to have been incurred in Vietnam due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a rating as his conditions are currently non-compensable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the feet, and hypertension (HTN) have been denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for CAD, hypertension, neck disability, back disability, and residuals of a head injury due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and the obtaining of private treatment records.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is currently rated at 60 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of evidence of chronic congestive heart failure or workload of less than 3 METs.,The Veteran's skin disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to affected area being less than 40% of total body surface or exposed areas.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cardiovascular disability, claimed as coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction and stent placement, did not begin during military service or manifest to a compensable degree within one year following separation from service. The VA examiner concluded it is less likely than not caused by his service-connected low back disability.