Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for ischemic heart disease has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease with coronary artery disease prior to November 20, 2017 did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it did not result in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness or syncope and there was no evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for restoration of a 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease, finding that there has been no sustained improvement since the initial rating and that the current condition does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his claim of entitlement to service connection for a heart disorder has been dismissed as the Veteran indicated he understood and agreed with the denial.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, acid reflux, and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis or link to military service for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, as well as a heart condition and diarrhea, all related to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to December 6, 2010 for the grant of a 60 percent evaluation for ischemic heart disease and initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for ischemic heart disease prior to December 6, 2010 was denied. The Board found that there is no competent evidence showing significant fatigue or other symptoms related to his heart condition prior to December 6, 2010. The claim for TDIU prior to December 6, 2010 was also denied as the Veteran did not show he was precluded from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's dental disability and heart disability were denied as service connection is not established for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus II due to herbicide exposure, finding no evidence of such conditions within one year post-service. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's atherosclerotic heart disease, status post coronary artery bypass graft, was manifested by chronic congestive heart failure since February 16, 2007. The Board granted the claim for a disability rating of 100 percent effective from that date.

The Veteran's initial rating for arteriosclerotic heart disease is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent evaluation.,The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD is also denied, as his symptoms do not warrant a higher than 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left ankle and heart disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions and lack of clarity in the examination reports.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including a right knee cap disability, left big toe fracture, bullet fragments in the buttocks, left eye disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, allergies, heart disability, partial removal of sphincter muscle, sterility, and PTSD as there is no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, skin cancer of the face and arms, and diabetes mellitus type II have been granted. However, his claims are denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar spondylosis, bilateral hearing loss, high cholesterol, heart condition (to include as secondary to obstructive sleep apnea), migraines, and an acquired psychiatric condition have all been denied.,Service connection was not granted because the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease has not been manifested by congestive heart failure, or a workload of 5 METs or less resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 55 percent. As such, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for coronary artery disease prior to April 4, 2014 was denied as his workload levels were between 7 and 10 METs with subjective complaints of dyspnea. From August 1, 2014 onwards, the rating assigned was in excess of 60 percent due to left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of no less than 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and exposure to contaminated water at Parris Island, South Carolina.

The Board has granted service connection for a depressive disorder, but denied service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a heart disability was denied because the new evidence did not relate his condition to his military service.