Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for right fifth metacarpal fracture with arthritis, and denied entitlement to higher initial ratings for degenerative joint and disc disease of the cervical spine, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable effective July 13, 2011. The Board granted a TDIU based on the evidence showing his back and neuropathy disorders prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease as due to Agent Orange exposure and awarded a TDIU for the period prior to December 20, 2016. The right elbow disorder issue is pending before the AOJ.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease (IHD) has been granted, but an initial rating in excess of 60 percent is denied. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) effective November 19, 2011, is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is granted as his substantive appeal was timely filed, and the Board will remand the case for further development.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to a service-connected disability and rating in excess of 30 percent for coronary artery disease. The Veteran needs new VA opinions on these matters.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease have been granted.,Both conditions are presumed to be related to the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of coronary artery disease was granted, but the Board denied a request for an effective date earlier than February 25, 1994.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including shoulder, back, neck, hip, knee, foot, otosclerosis, tinnitus, heart, prostate, thyroid, diabetes, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The reasons given are that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's heart condition, which includes a history of aortic valve replacement surgery, was denied service connection as there is no evidence to support that it was incurred in or caused by his military service. The Board found the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during his service and thus could not establish presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and ischemic heart disease, as it is unclear whether he was exposed to herbicide agents during service.

The appeals regarding service connection and disability evaluations have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence indicating possible aggravation of existing conditions by a service-connected condition, and for an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 8, 1999 for the grant of service connection for a heart disability is denied. The Board finds that there was no informal or formal claim prior to this date.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to have caused diabetic cataracts of the right and left eyes, as well as a heart disability. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions on a secondary basis.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease prior to May 22, 2014 due to lack of evidence of a diagnosis or treatment before that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, resulting in a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for dermatofibrosarcoma, a heart condition, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus due to presumed exposure to herbicides during active service.

The appellant has withdrawn all appeals, including those for service connection and evaluations of the veteran's conditions.