Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was denied as there was no new and material evidence received.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity vascular disease was denied as there was no new and material evidence received.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability (depression and generalized anxiety disorder) was granted due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded all issues on appeal due to non-compliance with previous directives. The Veteran's surviving spouse is being provided another opportunity for the claims file to be updated and any necessary medical opinions obtained.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as the evidence did not show he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's heart disability, including as secondary to service-connected asthma, is denied.,GERD requires further examination and evaluation for a higher rating.,Erectile dysfunction may be related to the Veteran's psychiatric disability or medications but needs clarification from the VA examiner.,Right knee disability requires additional examination to determine if it warrants an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes and related conditions such as peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has ordered a remand for further examination to assess the functional impairment caused solely by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension, Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD), and PTSD are not service-connected. The Board denied the extraschedular rating for IHD and the TDIU claim due to the Veteran's ability to work part-time as a chiropractor.

An effective date of November 26, 2013 for a 60 percent rating for service-connected ischemic heart disease is granted. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; a heart disorder; and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to new evidence submitted. The claims are remanded for further development regarding exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and Parkinson's disease, finding that there was no current diagnosis of these conditions in the Veteran's medical records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the issues related to ischemic heart disease, residual surgical scars post coronary artery bypass graft, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's heart conditions, including an enlarged heart and ischemic heart disease, are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service. Service connection is granted for these conditions. The Veteran's hypertension is also presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure. However, the Veteran's headaches are not linked to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of service dates and obtaining treatment records. The claims will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease is related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected. His ischemic heart disease is also granted as a result of herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for coronary artery disease and hemorrhoids are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, as well as the need to obtain outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of ischemic heart disease was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records. The Veteran should also be scheduled for examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD with TBI, traumatic arthritis, right ankle disability with scar, and other disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for coronary artery disease, infected sternum, and hypertension. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his coronary artery disease is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ALS is granted. The claim of service connection for coronary artery disease, to include coronary artery bypass graft, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.