Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and benign prostatic hyperplasia due to exposure to herbicide agents. The file is required to be returned to the VA examiner for an addendum opinion regarding ischemic heart disease, and a new examination is needed to determine if benign prostatic hyperplasia is related to his military service.

The Veteran's heart disorder was denied service connection as it did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period and continuity of symptomatology is not established. The Veteran's dysthymia with PTSD, however, resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas since August 29, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between his heart disorder and cerebrovascular accident.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to a lack of verification of his claimed Vietnam service. The RO must attempt to verify any temporary duty assignments in Vietnam from January to April 1974.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 11, 2014, and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent from March 11, 2014, are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have contributed substantially to his death from coronary artery disease.,However, the VA examiner concluded that the PTSD did not cause the coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's tinnitus and ischemic heart disease have been granted service connection. The Veteran has also been awarded a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD, which is the maximum rating available under VA guidelines. Additionally, the Veteran has been granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart disability and left shoulder disability due to potential changes in his medical condition. The Veteran was previously granted service connection for his left shoulder disability, but a new VA examination is required to assess his current heart disability and determine if it is related to service or exposure to herbicide agents. A CT scan of the left shoulder is also needed to evaluate its severity.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, Type II, and peripheral neuropathy have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his employment history.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action on several issues, including service connection and rating determinations.,An effective date prior to April 20, 2011, for the award of service connection for hypertension has been denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a left hand condition, right hand condition, and heart disability have been denied. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim has also been denied.,The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection in any of these cases.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for degenerative changes of the cervical spine with spondylosis and IVDS was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of ischemic heart disease has been denied. The Board also found that the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his ischemic heart disease should be remanded to allow issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The Board has denied service connection for glaucoma, heart disorder, hypertension, and prostate condition as the evidence does not support a link to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, status post coronary artery bypass graft, as due to exposure to herbicide agents was denied because no earlier claim was received by VA.

The appeal seeking increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is dismissed. The claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and heart disability, is granted effective April 12, 2012. The issue regarding the reduction in disability ratings from 60 percent to 30 percent for heart disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to issues with obtaining a statement from Dr. Stearns regarding the etiology of the Veteran's heart disability, which is currently under review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, as well as his claim to reopen. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral vascular disease in both lower extremities, skin lesions on both legs, hypertension with edema, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and coronary artery disease.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (claimed as a heart condition) and ischemic heart disease, finding no direct or presumptive link to his active service.