Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of arteriosclerotic heart disease or high cholesterol.,As such, there is no competent evidence of a current disability upon which to predicate a grant of service connection on any basis.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for arteriosclerotic heart disease and TDIU were denied as the Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of September 2, 2011. Prior to that date, the criteria for a schedular TDIU were not met.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is manifested by level IV hearing acuity in both ears, and his coronary artery disease does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The RO has granted initial evaluations for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, and there is no evidence showing he is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for a heart disorder, including as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed hypertension.

The Veteran's heart disease was rated at 10% from February 2005 to November 2010, and then increased to 60% effective July 2013. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities as pertains to TDIU.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeals for ischemic heart disease, left leg amputation, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation and TIAs.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between any service-connected disabilities and the Veteran's death, including exposure to chemicals. The current claim remains in a pending state.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service in Thailand, which could potentially affect his claim of service connection for a heart disability. The appeal is now pending again with the AOJ.

The Veteran's cause of death was not caused or contributed to by any service-connected disability, including discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). The VA examiner found that DLE did not contribute to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claimed conditions were not found to be related to service or a service-connected disability, and the appeal is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; coronary artery disease; and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded to allow for a VA social and industrial survey.

The Veteran's heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and headaches are all found to be related to his service in Vietnam and exposure to herbicides. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have ischemic heart disease incurred in service, and specifically denied service connection based on a lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service. The claim is therefore denied.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease as proximately due to or the result of service-connected hypertension, but denied service connection for a heart valve condition secondary to service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations, as well as further consideration of his claims for an increased rating and TDIU.