Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and CAD was granted as secondary to his psychiatric conditions. The appeal is denied in other issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic neuropathy, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of September 17, 2013. The Board grants the TDIU claim but dismisses the increased rating claim for coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the inextricability of his acquired psychiatric disorder with other conditions. The VA will need to determine if these secondary conditions are related to his service-connected condition or another diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, vision disorder, heart disorder, and hypertension due to incomplete records from Balboa Naval Hospital and St. Luke's in Quakertown, PA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and coronary artery disease, make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of coronary artery disease, and the claim is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD and CAD are granted at the 70% and 100% disability ratings, respectively, effective August 3, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gout and a heart disability have been reopened, and the Board has granted these claims as they are found to be secondary to his service-connected hypertension and depression.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating of PTSD due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal is for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease from March 1, 2006 to May 23, 2011. The Board has decided that a remand is needed due to the lack of medical evidence regarding the METs level for the period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, respiratory disability (claimed as asthma), and heart disability (claimed as congestive heart failure) due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's reopened claims for service connection of a heart disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder as new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease prior to November 22, 2017 was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to support reopening of his claims. The appeals are remanded for further development including VA examinations and opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran’s current conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for right arm, heart, and skin disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and stroke due to lack of in-service disease or injury, absence of a nexus between the disabilities and service, and failure to meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease is granted. The Board also found hypertension secondary to coronary artery disease, but the claim was remanded due to additional development needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, COPD, and a heart disorder other than hypertension due to insufficient evidence of record.