Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, as the evidence did not show that they precluded him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and prostate cancer. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for left eye pterygium are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for updated VA medical records and a VA examination to confirm whether the Veteran has diagnosed ischemic heart disease, which is presumed related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was decided in part. The effective date of the 40% rating for prostate cancer residuals is set to August 4, 2011. The initial rating for arteriosclerotic heart disease prior to February 28, 2014 remains at 30%. Other issues are either denied or require further review.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure. The Board has remanded the issues of organic brain injury, right hip injury, ischemic heart disease (due to herbicide exposure), hearing loss, and PTSD with major depressive disorder for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable, as his education and previous work experience allow for transferable skills. His disabilities are all in stable condition.

The Board dismissed the appeals of service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease/atherosclerosis is granted as it was incurred in service.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disability and other disabilities have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment for the entire period on appeal, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's heart disorder, including as secondary to PTSD, is being remanded for further evaluation due to an inaccurate factual premise in the previous opinion.

This decision denies service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for postoperative right knee scar is also denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a right hip disability, heart disability (coronary artery disease and residuals of coronary artery bypass), fasciotomy to the outer portion of the right leg, right popliteal intraoperative vascular injury, and right ankle and leg neuropathy.,Service connection is also denied for these conditions. The Board has ordered additional development in order to determine if service connection can be granted.

Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for stomach ulcers is denied.,Service connection for a heart disability is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for CAD was denied, and he is now receiving a 30 percent rating from November 21, 2016. The appeal on the earlier effective date issue has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral vascular disease, as secondary to ischemic heart disease, is remanded due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding aggravation.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease has worsened, and the Board is remanding for a new VA examination to assess his need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to heart disability, right leg disability, urinary condition, bilateral feet disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the loss of his VA claims file.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg disability is remanded as there was no VA examination provided. The Veteran has reported symptoms of shin pain during service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for urinary condition is remanded as he did not receive a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his condition, including whether it is related to exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral feet disability are remanded due to lack of VA examinations. The Veteran has reported symptoms such as tumors and numbness in his feet during service.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded as he did not receive a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his condition, including whether it is related to personal assault.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to February 6, 2001 for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease and related conditions was dismissed as a matter of law due to the finality of the May 2011 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, as his education and previous work experience qualify him for sedentary or non-sedentary work.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for erectile dysfunction is remanded to obtain a VA medical opinion, and the claim for hearing loss is remanded to obtain a supplemental opinion from an audiologist.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the Veteran's heart disability. The case is remanded to obtain an adequate VA examination regarding the nature and etiology of his peripheral neuropathy, which he claims is related to service-connected conditions or herbicide exposure.