Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the reopened claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, as well as the claims for bilateral hearing loss and IHD. The Veteran's current conditions are being reviewed to determine if they were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and pending claims for increased disability ratings. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being reviewed, but a VA medical opinion is needed regarding his occupational impairment from service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's scars were initially assigned a noncompensable rating, effective December 7, 2010, and a 10 percent rating, effective May 24, 2016. The Board found no basis for a compensable rating prior to May 24, 2016, or in excess of 10 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's diabetes was rated as 20 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 7913. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus at any time during the appellate period.,Diabetic neuropathy of the left foot and right foot were each rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 8520, which pertains to neuralgia of the sciatic nerve. The Board found no basis for a higher rating for diabetic neuropathy of either foot.,PTSD was remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and lung cancer due to lack of in-service diagnosis or exposure. The claim for PTSD was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, heart condition, and diabetes mellitus have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, service connection is denied for these conditions.,PTSD was not found to be related to a verified in-service stressor.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The cause of death listed on the official certificate was pneumonia, secondary to lung cancer and acute renal failure, with COPD contributing significantly.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, heart problems, hypertension, and related peripheral neuropathy and dementia due to exposure to Agent Orange. The case will be returned to the Board after the AOJ reviews new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 17, 2013, for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual employability (TDIU) was denied. The Board found that the earliest date it is factually ascertainable that the Veteran was unemployable due to his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities in conjunction with his service-connected heart disability was December 17, 2013.

The Veteran's cause of death, cardiac arrest due to or as a result of essential thrombocythemia, is found to be service-connected based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The Board finds the expert opinion in favor of service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly pension benefits due to lack of evidence showing he requires regular aid and attendance or is permanently housebound. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated income information from SSA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially and materially to his cause of death, end-stage cardiac disease. The decision is in favor of granting service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability and ischemic heart disease (IHD) due to incomplete evidence.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and urethra cancer have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for valvular heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, and atrial fibrillation are remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and depression with psychotic features are not service-connected. However, the Veteran is granted basic eligibility for non-service-connected disability pension benefits.

The Board is unable to determine the exact amount of last illness expenses for the surviving spouse due to insufficient information, and thus, the case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for medical opinions regarding the relationship between service-connected gastrointestinal disorders and any diagnosed heart disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the issues related to PTSD, varicose veins, and ischemic heart disease. The Board dismissed these appeals as withdrawn.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have been present during service or within one year of discharge. The heart disorder issue is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to the absence of evidence showing a disability level warranting such a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for malaria is denied as there is no active disease or residuals related to malaria.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease is denied due to the absence of chronic congestive heart failure, a workload of less than 3 METs, or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction less than 30 percent.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence showing the required criteria for such a higher rating.