Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for convulsive disorder and coronary artery disease (CAD) as secondary to the convulsive disorder are both denied. The claim for service connection for convulsive disorder is not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, including ischemic heart disease due to exposure to herbicide agents, finding that his current diagnoses do not constitute ischemic heart disease and there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the current level of severity of the Veteran's heart disability. A new VA examination is needed to determine this.

Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted, and service connection for left ear hearing loss and chronic fatigue are granted to the extent of reopening. A rating of 70 percent for PTSD since April 16, 2012, is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hiatal hernia with Barrett’s esophagus and ischemic heart disease due to insufficient evidence or further development is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development, including a need for an examination and review of post-discharge treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and ischemic heart disease, have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU for the period prior to September 12, 2017.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, status post CABG and stents with residual scars, is currently rated at 30 percent from March 27, 2014. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since January 21, 2010. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's claims for heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) are dismissed since they were withdrawn. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded for further development.

The Board is remanding the claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions due to a lack of VA treatment records and pending eligibility determinations regarding substitution. The appellant must provide notice on whether she wishes to pursue her claims under accrued benefits or as a substitute.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the application to reopen his claim of entitlement to TDIU was not granted due to lack of evidence showing he was unemployable at the time.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and TDIU was denied as the effective date of March 21, 2011 is not earlier than that.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease and hypertension, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted in either case.

Your claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to missing Social Security Administration (SSA) records and need for clarification on the nature and etiology of his right knee, right ankle, cervical spine, lumbar spine, and coronary artery disease. The VA will obtain these records and provide further medical opinions.

The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to ischemic heart disease, which is a presumptive condition for herbicide exposure. The effective date is set at July 31, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease and hypertension did not manifest during or as a result of his service, including periods of INACDUTRA. The Board also determined that there was no evidence of aggravation beyond its natural progression.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year thereafter, and the Board found that the Veteran did not have herbicide exposure during his military service. The claim was decided on the merits without any presumption.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease and a psychiatric disability (including posttraumatic stress disorder) due to incomplete records and need for further verification of in-service stressors.