Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for left knee disorder, nose disorder (broken nose residuals), and heart disorder were granted. The appeal is granted on these issues.,PTSD claim was dismissed.

The Board denied an effective date prior to July 9, 2010 for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease and denied a rating in excess of 10 percent from July 9, 2010 to June 22, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions, including heart disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cataracts, blood clots in lungs, sleep apnea, basal cell carcinoma, and dementia/memory loss. The reasons for remand include seeking additional medical opinions on etiology.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his symptoms were consistent with a 60 percent evaluation.

All issues are remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and brain hemorrhage as secondary to ischemic heart disease. The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed due to his service in Vietnam, while the brain hemorrhage is linked to a head injury sustained during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation or evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction, as secondary to his service-connected pulmonic stenosis with anxiety reaction is pending. The issue of an increased rating for his service-connected pulmonic stenosis with anxiety reaction is also pending.

The Veteran's skin rash and sores on head are being remanded for additional development.,Peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities is being remanded for additional development.,Peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is being remanded for additional development.,The initial evaluation for coronary artery disease (CAD) in excess of 10 percent prior to July 15, 2010, and in excess of 30 percent on and after July 15, 2001, is being remanded. An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for CAD remains on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) is being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his claims concerning new and material evidence for service connection for sleep apnea and the propriety of reducing the rating for coronary artery disease from 60 percent to 30 percent effective July 1, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (ischemic heart disease and PTSD) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, so he is granted a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service, specifically while stationed aboard the USS Sea Fox in Vietnam. The VA needs to obtain pay records and a formal request for submarine patrol reports.

The Board has found that the VA examinations conducted in August 2016 were inadequate for rating purposes and remanded the claims for further development.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, diagnosed as coronary artery disease, is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service.

The Board has denied service connection for hearing loss, and the claims for bilateral knee conditions, heart condition (also claimed as atrioventricular block and endocarditis), anxiety, and depression are remanded due to a lack of evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied. The Veteran's appeal also includes a request for a higher initial rating for CAD, which is denied as there was no evidence of symptoms warranting such a rating during the relevant period. Additionally, the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied due to his failure to provide requested information.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include left arm disability, back disability, vision disability, heart disability, hypertension, and benign prostatic hypertrophy.

The Board has remanded the case due to several issues, including obtaining an opinion on the impact of PTSD medication on employment and verifying the Veteran's income since October 2011.