Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's heart disease and lipoma cysts are granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. The Board finds the Veteran's assertions of proximity to the perimeter of his base in Thailand credible.

The Veteran's rating reduction from 100 percent to 30 percent for hypertensive heart disease was challenged, and the Board has decided it needs further examination to determine if the current condition warrants a higher rating.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted a 40 percent rating from the date of service connection. The Veteran's coronary artery disease prior to March 1, 2013, does not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from Riverside Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, Dr. L. Blumberg, and any private cardiologist he has seen.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and depression. The claims for service connection for migraines, arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease), psychosis, and a psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the claim has become moot.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the disability evaluations for ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, and status post coronary artery bypass.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether his obesity, caused by his service-connected right knee disability, is a substantial factor in causing other disabilities. The claims for service connection for left knee, lower back, left hip, heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are all remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for chronic skin disorder, PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, nerve disability of the ear, heart disability, and abdominal disorder (cyclic vomiting syndrome) were granted. Service connection was established for vitiligo and denied for other conditions.

The appeal of the denials of service connection for various conditions due to herbicide exposure is dismissed. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease is granted due to herbicide exposure. The Board finds the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Thailand, but remands for further examination on secondary service connection issues.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his coronary artery disease was denied as the evidence did not show more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year or a workload of greater than 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran was entitled to a total disability rating based on unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease with bradycardia was granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent, but not in excess thereof, for the period on appeal prior to March 31, 2014. The rating was then increased to 60 percent from November 1, 2016, to January 29, 2018.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease due to Agent Orange exposure is denied because his service was not within the time frame prescribed by Congress for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's heart disability, including coronary artery disease, was incurred in service and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for lung disability is dismissed. The claim of residual health problems secondary to Project SHAD, also claimed as birth defect in grandchild, is denied. The claims for sleep disability, heart disability, blackout spells, lymph node disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional records and verification of his reported flight onboard the USS ORISKANY.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to February 20, 2013.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was denied as not incurred in or related to service.,A rating of 30 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted, effective from September 2010.