Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as it is related to his service, with the exception of a ruptured right ear drum which has not been diagnosed.,Coronary artery disease and erectile dysfunction are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam Era service.

The Veteran's Reiter’s syndrome is rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable VA rating criteria. The appeal for higher ratings for PTSD and coronary artery disease has been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected vertigo is granted, with the Board finding that his current diagnosis of chronic vertigo is related to exposure to contaminants in the water at Camp Lejeune during service.,Service connection for a respiratory disability (to include asthma and COPD), heart disability, hypertension, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are remanded due to lack of medical evidence addressing these claims.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for coronary artery disease and tinea pedis was denied. The Veteran received a separate 10 percent rating for foot disability associated with tinea pedis.

The Board has remanded the cases of GERD, tuberculosis, and heart disability for further development and readjudication.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for muscle spasms, heart disability, erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, hernia, ulcers and an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD and depression. The claims are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to clarify whether the Veteran has a heart disease and determine its relationship to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus or presumed herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's military service included in-country service in Vietnam, which is considered presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, unstable angina, and post-coronary artery bypass surgery were rated at 30 percent since February 1, 2015. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to the workload being between 5 and 7 METs, left ventricular dysfunction greater than 50%, and no congestive heart failure.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and ischemic heart disease were denied. The Veteran's sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation claims, including as due to herbicide exposure or secondary to service-connected ischemic heart disease, are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding earlier effective date for service connection and initial increased disability rating for ischemic heart disease and coronary artery disease due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's cause of death is granted as the fatal coronary artery disease is presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure, and he had service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for sterility is denied.,The effective date of the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease and PTSD prior to April 29, 2013, is not warranted.

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

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and lung disability due to additional evidence received since the last decisions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back and heart conditions were denied as there was no evidence of ankylosis or functional limitation to a degree warranting higher ratings, and the medical records did not support the need for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his heart condition.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and associated scars have been rated appropriately based on the severity of his symptoms.,Since May 29, 2014, the Veteran has not met the criteria for a higher rating due to his coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease was granted at 30 percent from August 31, 2010 through June 7, 2017. For the period beginning June 8, 2017, a higher rating of more than 30 percent is denied.

Service connection is granted for ischemic heart disease due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee condition and heart disability due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine the etiology of his current left knee conditions, including arthritis, and whether they are related to his in-service injury. For the heart disability claim, an addendum opinion is needed to address pre-existence and aggravation.