Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee replacement, coronary artery disease, nephropathy with hypertension, and diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and erectile dysfunction, are sufficient to qualify for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability as of June 17, 2011.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease and CAD status post CABG have been rated at 60 percent since September 1, 2014. The effective dates for service connection of ischemic heart disease prior to April 18, 2002, and TDIU prior to August 22, 2007, are established.

The Veteran's heart disease/heart disorder claim has been reopened and service connection is granted.,An initial compensable evaluation for hiatal hernia prior to August 28, 2014 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining terminal treatment records and requesting a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's death was related to his service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II are granted as they were caused by his exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss in her left ear is service-connected, but not for her right ear. The heart condition and hip condition are not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and securing updated VA treatment records. The AOJ will also obtain SSA records and determine if any of the claimed disabilities are related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the functional impairment caused by his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work. The issues of increased ratings for diabetes and coronary artery disease are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current heart disabilities are not related to his active service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to January 7, 2016 and since December 8, 2016 is denied as the condition has not been manifested by workload of greater than 5 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation on electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, or X-ray.,The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected arrhythmias beginning February 4, 2010 is denied as the condition has not been manifested by paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or other supraventricular tachycardia with more than four episodes per year documented by ECG or Holter monitor.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus as they are not shown to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation as secondary to service-connected rheumatic fever inactive, but denied service connection for coronary artery disease and arrhythmia palpations as secondary to service-connected rheumatic fever inactive. The Veteran's heart disorder remains rated at 0%.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be secondary to his service-connected SPS and/or cervical spine disability.,There is no currently diagnosed left hand condition, but the Veteran's reports of pain may be related to his service-connected SPS.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disorder and heart disorder are not related to his service, including any in-service low back injury or September 1988 chest pain incident. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's CAD with CABG is granted a 30 percent rating from August 31, 2010 to May 2, 2011 and a 60 percent rating starting September 1, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder, including ischemic heart disease, as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure and the Veteran's current condition did not begin in or is related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the May 2013 VA examination is inadequate for decision-making purposes and remands the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and any relevant private medical records.

The Board has denied service connection for heart disability, hypertension, and skin condition due to herbicide agent exposure. The claims have been remanded for further examination.