Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Veteran's heart disorder, diagnosed as cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, valvular heart disease, endocarditis, and viral myocarditis, is caused by his service-connected bronchiectasis due to mycobacterium avium complex. Therefore, the claim for secondary service connection has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to March 3, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service or exposure to herbicides, and therefore denied all three claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, CAD, and ring finger fracture) rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from December 1, 2001 until May 12, 2003.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, status-post CABG, has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent since January 1, 2003. The current assigned rating is considered the highest possible under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back disability and ischemic heart disease, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to military service.,The Veteran's claimed heart murmur at birth was found to be unrelated to his current heart disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased rating for residual scars associated with coronary artery disease, status post CABG, MI.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD). The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and a supplemental opinion regarding the earliest date the Veteran's IHD first manifested.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's service connection for a cardiovascular disability other than WPW syndrome is granted, and the claim for an increased rating for WPW syndrome as of April 19, 2006, is also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a heart disorder and chronic pulmonary disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence/aggravation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical opinions and examinations to address the etiology of his hypertension and heart disability, as well as assessing the current severity of his left knee disability. The TDIU claim will also be deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule him for examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including right shoulder disability, hypertension, heart disability (mitral valve prolapse), PTSD, TBI, lumbar strain, and need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection for a heart condition, and the Board has dismissed this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disorders, including coronary artery disease, supraventricular arrhythmia, and valvular disease with heart valve replacement, are related to service. The appeal is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent from September 30, 2010 forward.

The Veteran's service connection claims for liver condition (Hepatitis C), heart condition, kidney condition, lung condition, back condition, brain damage, and emotional/behavioral problems have all been granted. The claim for meningitis remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for kidney disability, heart disability, and sleep apnea due to pending issues related to hypertension. The claims will be adjudicated again once the issue of whether new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for hypertension is resolved.