Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition, but the claims for erectile dysfunction and heart condition remain pending as they are not fully addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and consideration of his claims, including a TDIU application. The initial rating for ischemic heart disease and evaluation for diabetes mellitus are also under review.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were withdrawn by the appellant at her hearing. The claims of entitlement to service connection for lymphoma and skin cancer are dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease has not been shown to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied all the issues on appeal, including service connection for various conditions and reopening of a claim related to migratory polyarthritis or Reiter's syndrome. The Veteran did not have diagnosed left knee, left ankle, psychiatric, or heart disorders.

The Veteran's claim for SMC by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge from service is not a bar to VA benefits, and therefore, his claims for service connection are granted.

The Veteran's heart disability is currently rated at 60 percent disabling, effective October 8, 2015. The Board granted a higher initial rating of 30 percent from October 8, 2015.

The Board finds that the Veteran served in Vietnam and has been diagnosed with a heart disability, to include a disease listed in 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e). The evidence supports granting service connection for a heart disability presumptively as a result of herbicide exposure.

The Board finds that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused by his service-connected coronary artery disease, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction, is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease and ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure, as these conditions are listed under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e) for presumptive service connection.

The Board denied service connection for heart disability and dismissed earlier effective date claims based on CUE in prior RO decisions for left knee, left shoulder, right shoulder, and sinusitis disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and aortic stenosis were denied as new and material evidence was not received. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, left carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), residuals of a left arm injury with history of cubital tunnel (left arm injury), degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and tinea cruris were all service connected. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further review of the merits of the waiver request, including consideration of whether the Veteran was competent at relevant time frames. The appeal will be returned to the Board after this is done.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease improved, and the Board finds that reducing his rating from 60 percent to 30 percent was proper.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and additional VA treatment records. The Veteran's spouse is also being considered as a substitute claimant.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and CAD on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's claim of nonservice-connected pension benefits is dismissed as the appeal was withdrawn prior to decision.