Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the January 2017 VA heart examination report.

The Board has granted service connection for left lateral disc herniation, L4-5 with degenerative changes and spinal stenosis. However, it denied service connection for ischemic heart disease due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of December 22, 2005 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was granted. The Board found that new and material evidence (the Veteran's service personnel records) related to her unestablished fact necessary to substantiate her claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease, including coronary artery disease, is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The issue of a TDIU prior to May 23, 2013 remains pending and will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The claims will be reconsidered after all necessary development is completed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a personal hearing at the local RO. The issues of service connection and TDIU are still pending.

The Veteran was found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, which included PTSD, CAD, low back disorder, and bilateral knee disorders. The TDIU rating is granted effective from May 12, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in determining whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his Air Force service in Thailand. The case is now being reviewed with a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed ischemic heart disability is related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and shell fragment wound disabilities due to the lack of evidence of herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease is granted, with the effective date being November 21, 2011. The appeal seeking an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease is dismissed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a heart disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not that his arteriosclerotic heart disease had its onset during National Guard service from 1997 to 2005 or was otherwise caused by his military service in any way.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease was rated at 60 percent from June 7, 1994, to July 29, 1999, and again from November 1, 1999, to November 28, 2005. TDIU due to service-connected PTSD was granted effective from June 7, 1994, to December 14, 1995.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disorder, aching joints, stomach disorder, muscle deterioration, and sleeping disorder are found to have contributed substantially or materially to his death. The appellant is therefore entitled to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining treatment records and medical opinions regarding his heart disorder and low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an updated examination for PTSD and issuance of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease with status post coronary artery bypass graft (claimed as heart disease secondary to hypertension) and a residual scar from coronary artery bypass graft surgery, associated with coronary artery disease with status post coronary artery bypass graft.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation of atherosclerotic heart disease was granted, with a rating of 60 percent effective September 15, 2006. The appeal related to service connection for various conditions including cognitive disorder, cervical spine disability, obstructive sleep apnea and fatigue, and SMC.

The Veteran seeks service connection for ischemic heart disease, which he claims is due to exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty. The RO has not considered additional VA treatment records and a private doctor's opinion in its decision.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with a disability rating of 20 percent for plantar calluses effective February 20, 2015. Service connection for heart condition and diabetes mellitus are also granted as due to herbicide exposure.