Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's coronary artery disease, including whether it is related to service or caused by an in-service injury, event or illness.

The Veteran's tinnitus and hypertension are denied as not related to service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, heart condition, and sleep condition are denied as there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's heart disability is rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for ischemic heart disease. The Board finds that his service-connected condition does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, with the exception of left leg cellulitis. The remaining conditions are granted a 10% rating.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder and coronary artery disease render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and heart condition were denied as there was no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, the conditions did not manifest within a year of separation from service, and there is no direct or presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right-hand disability, left-hand disability, heart disability, and hypertension were denied. The claim for service connection of depressive disorder with anxiety was granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for accrued benefits, VA death pension benefits, and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to withdrawal of claims by the appellant. The appeal for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart disability and remanded the rating claims for anterior compartment syndrome in both lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus to include as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is remanded due to lack of a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability. The appeal is remanded for additional development on several other issues, including an earlier effective date for coronary artery disease and a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for testicular cancer, heart disorder, and respiratory disorder including lung cancer and emphysema are denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship to active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim of a bilateral shoulder disability, and that there is no nexus between his heart disabilities, hypertension, kidney disabilities (nephrolithiasis and chronic renal disease), or dyslexia and his active military service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to prove permanent and total disability, as well as other functional limitations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disorder other than sleep apnea, and his hypertension is not at a compensable level. The claims for service connection for valvular heart disease and sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, joint pain, respiratory disability (asthma/lung condition), heart disability, and diabetes mellitus were denied in March 2008. The appeals for these issues have been granted.,An effective date of February 20, 2008 was granted for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for tinnitus and nonservice-connected pension have been dismissed. The claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease has an effective date of June 21, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and PTSD, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU benefits, which satisfies the Veteran's appeal as to all claims on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of the Veteran's coronary artery disease, specifically an exercise stress test. The VA will obtain any outstanding treatment records and arrange for a VA cardiology examination.