Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, finding no evidence of permanent aggravation during service and noting that coronary artery disease was not shown within one year post-service. The Board also found no link between the current heart condition and any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is rated at 60 percent from August 31, 2010 to September 2, 2015. A higher rating is denied.

The Board denied the claims of service connection for esophageal cancer, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease. The cause of death was listed as esophageal cancer, but the Board found that it did not result from military service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disability may be related to his service, but more information is needed to make a definitive determination.

Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically unspecified depressive disorder. The Veteran's heart disability and PTSD are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disorder, low back disorder, bilateral hip disorders, and bilateral knee disorders to include secondary to rheumatic fever due to an unresolved claim of service connection for rheumatic fever.

The Veteran's tinea cruris and herpes zoster were granted service connection. The Board also found that the evidence was at least in equipoise for his other conditions, including right ear hearing loss disability, costochondritis, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, psoriasis, heart disability, hypertension, IBS, cholecystectomy, and thyroid disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether a psychiatric disability incurred in service contributed to cause or aggravate the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for cardiovascular disability, prostate cancer, and residuals of a stroke due to lack of evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicide agents during service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a heart condition due to new evidence showing possible heart issues during service. The case is remanded for further development and an opinion on the etiology of the heart condition, including whether it is related to depression.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including Parkinson’s Disease and diabetes mellitus with hypertension, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran did not have confirmed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam and there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's request for an increased rating for service-connected ischemic heart disease was denied as the evidence did not show any additional disability warranting a higher rating. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied due to lack of evidence showing he is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment solely due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's service treatment records being fire-related and unavailable. The Veteran is diagnosed with aortic stenosis, coronary artery disease, and hypertension. The Board requires a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disability, osteomyelitis, and optic neuritis. The rating for optic neuritis is increased to 100 percent.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease was rated at 100 percent from February 1, 2012, to October 6, 2017.,The Veteran's postsurgical scars were rated at 10 percent beginning March 30, 2012. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for respiratory and heart conditions, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service or any exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's initial rating for Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's initial rating for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The appeal for service connection for coronary artery disease is dismissed. The appeals for increased ratings for bilateral tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II (DM) with erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are all remanded.

The Board has remanded two issues: the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease and his PTSD. The Veteran will be provided with VA examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.