Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board has found that the Veteran's atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure, meets the criteria for service connection. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records. The issue of an initial disability rating higher than 10 percent for CAD remains pending.

The Veteran's heart disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and he does not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is dismissed as without legal merit due to the finality of the September 2011 rating decision. The Board also found no clear and unmistakable error in that decision.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and posttraumatic stress disorder were evaluated, with the former rated at 60 percent and the latter not meeting criteria for a higher rating. The decision denied both increased ratings.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employment. The issues of reopening a claim for cataracts, obtaining VA treatment records, and scheduling an examination are pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. His diabetes mellitus and heart disorder are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied prior to July 23, 2014. Effective July 23, 2014, the Veteran is rated at 20%.,The issue of a higher initial rating for ischemic heart disease remains pending and not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, specifically coronary artery disease, is granted as due to herbicide exposure during service at Udorn Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 30, 2012, for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease has been granted. The effective date is set at January 31, 2011.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease has been rated at 10 percent since April 5, 2012. The VA examiner found that the Veteran could achieve workloads of greater than 7 METs but not greater than 10 METs prior to the onset of fatigue and dyspnea, which is consistent with a workload level considered for a 10 percent rating under DC 7005. There was no evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation on electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, or X-ray.

The Veteran's death is being remanded for further investigation into his exposure to herbicide agents during service, specifically whether he was stationed in close proximity to the DMZ. The cause of death is congestive heart failure due to coronary artery disease.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss, COPD, carpal tunnel syndromes, and kidney failure. The evidence submitted since the final decisions raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran is granted a 60% rating for ischemic heart disease since January 26, 2018 and entitlement to TDIU effective the same date.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is granted as due to herbicide exposure during his service in Vietnam and Thailand.

The Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease were not service connected, but the Veteran was granted a 60% rating for his coronary artery disease as of December 5, 2011.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for coronary artery disease, finding that it is presumed due to herbicide exposure during his Vietnam-era service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for multiple myeloma was dismissed as he withdrew his claim.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied, and his claim for a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities is also denied.