Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected. The claims for erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, esophageal cancer, and ischemic heart disease are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's heart disorder is being reviewed for secondary service connection to his service-connected pleural lung disease. His initial rating for pleural lung disease is also under review.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request, and as a result, the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease is not related to his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased rating for diabetes mellitus, service connection for hypertensive heart disease, and service connection for a low back disorder. The decision found that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions, and that any current diagnoses were not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder and SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to cause his heart disabilities, including CAD. The Board grants a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD since the date of claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination opinions regarding whether the Veteran's heart disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension. The claim will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is rated at 60 percent, and his PTSD prior to June 16, 2016, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for service-connected ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation during the relevant periods.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is being remanded due to the need for further verification of his exposure to herbicide agents during his deployment in Korea.

The Veteran's total rating for atherosclerotic heart disease was improperly reduced from 100% to 60%, and the RO is ordered to restore the 100% rating effective December 1, 2013.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of ischemic heart disease, so the Board has no jurisdiction to review this claim.

The Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, posttraumatic stress disorder, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy with glaucoma and cataracts, and other conditions. Special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD with major depressive disorder, type 2 diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unemployable as of January 19, 2012. The Board granted the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient attempts to verify the Veteran's presence in Vietnam and his exposure to herbicides, which is necessary for consideration under the presumptive provisions of 38 C.F.R. ¶ 3.307 and ¶ 3.309.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to be due to exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. The case has been remanded for a new VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The appeals for ischemic heart disease and hepatitis C were withdrawn.