Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions and denied all issues on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for narcolepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, heart disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, lumbar spine disorder, and bilateral knee disorders. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current heart disorder and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a heart disability and an increased rating for depressive disorder. The case is being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's service connection claims are granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart disorder, and other conditions. The appeal is based on new evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease status post bypass graft) is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure during his tour of duty in Korea.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical inquiry into the Veteran's claim of service connection for heart disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease arose on or before May 20, 1997 and was claimed for service connection at that time. Therefore, an effective date of May 20, 1997 is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, arteriosclerotic stenosis of the carotid arteries, and stenosis of the renal artery were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year after separation. The Board found that the current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection based on herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated VA and private medical records, as well as a new VA examination to assess his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder, prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities have rendered him unemployable. The Board granted SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) effective April 1, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his diabetes with peripheral vascular disease and peripheral neuropathy, require daily aid and assistance. The need for regular aid and attendance is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease were denied as there was no evidence of the required severity to warrant higher disability ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for clarification of the effective date for his 100% disability rating for coronary artery disease and adjudication of his TDIU claim. The increased rating for CAD issue will also be reconsidered.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment, as he is able to perform sedentary work despite his hearing loss and other conditions.

The Board finds the evidence in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's heart disability is attributable to his military service, but ultimately concludes that service connection should be granted.

The Veteran is granted TDIU based on his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability alone, and SMC under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) due to additional service-connected disabilities totaling at least 60 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to May 16, 2012. The Board also granted a TDIU for the period from May 10, 2011 to May 16, 2012. However, the TDIU claim was denied prior to May 10, 2011.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) has been increased to 100 percent effective June 5, 2014. The issue of service connection for GERD remains pending.

The Veteran's heart disability was denied service connection, but his erectile dysfunction received an initial 20% rating.