Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision on each issue. As a result, all issues are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU, as well as his claim for an earlier effective date for CAD. The appeals will be adjudicated together due to the interrelated nature of the issues. Additional medical evidence is needed from VA and private sources to assess the current severity of the service-connected lumbar spine condition and its impact on employment. If a separate rating for any associated neurological abnormalities is warranted, then TDIU may still not be granted based on the schedular criteria. The case will be referred to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service for consideration of an extra-schedular TDIU if applicable.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease as there was no evidence of in-service injury, event or disease, or a causal relationship to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service personnel records and deck logs, as well as a need for a medical opinion regarding the cause of death.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, delusional disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and various other conditions are granted. Service connection is also granted for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD and CAD are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected asbestosis, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, enteropathy, polyuria, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities have been dismissed. The Board has also dismissed his appeal for a TDIU due to the assignment of a 100% schedular rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disease, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's CAD status post CABG is rated at 60% from June 24, 2016. The Board finds that a higher rating of 60% is warranted for the period beginning on June 24, 2016.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, effective from the date of this decision. The rating reflects significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence, as well as issues related to hypertension, kidney disorder, stroke residuals, and PTSD. The Veteran is also requested to provide Social Security Administration records.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease, finding that no claim was filed prior to July 23, 2012.

The reduction in evaluation for coronary artery disease (ischemic heart disease) from 60 percent to 30 percent, effective November 7, 2013, is void ab initio. The Veteran's appeal of the initial disability rating and TDIU issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and coronary artery disease. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for his claimed conditions as there is no link between them and his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease due to new and material evidence, but the case is remanded as additional information is needed regarding the Veteran's service in Thailand and his active service cardiac treatment.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for neck disability, left breast disability, cervical radiculopathy, and coronary artery disease (CAD). The cases are remanded to obtain VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) status post myocardial infarction is remanded due to the need for a METs exercise stress test.

The Board denied service connection for an eye condition, a heart condition to include as due to exposure to herbicides, and diabetes to include as due to exposure to herbicides. The evidence did not establish the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his period of service or complaints of or treatment for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, particularly regarding his hearing loss and potential Vietnam exposure. The appeals are not related to service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The appeal is remanded for additional development regarding the issues of chronic fatigue, prostate disability, and SMC.