Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's heart disability is currently rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board finds that his current METs level of 3-5 does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 7005 or 7017.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of service connection for depression was withdrawn. The claim for an increased evaluation for coronary artery disease with sick sinus syndrome status post pacemaker placement and scar, prior to April 11, 2011, is denied as there is no evidence of chronic congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction less than 30 percent. The claim for an increased evaluation since April 11, 2011 (excluding the period from May 11, 2015 to August 1, 2015) is denied as there is no evidence of chronic congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction less than 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and heart disorder. The VA will provide these services and then readjudicate the claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and gathering information about the Veteran's employment and exposure to industrial chemicals. The VA will also seek a VA examiner's opinion on whether the Veteran's hypertension was related to service and if it contributed to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including an additional VA examination to determine the Veteran's METs level due solely to his service-connected ischemic heart disease prior to July 23, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including recurrent tinnitus, ischemic heart disease, and bilateral hearing loss, are found to be related to his military service. The Veteran is also granted entitlement to TDIU due to the combined effect of these conditions.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease and coronary artery disease, status post stenting, warrant an initial rating of 30 percent since July 1, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a viral infection with pericarditis and myocarditis, including consideration of symptoms associated with coronary artery disease (CAD), substantially or materially contributed to cause the Veteran's death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, ischemic heart disease, and migraine headaches, as well as in-service exposures.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at 60 percent from September 6, 2007, to May 17, 2010. From May 18, 2010, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 60 percent.

The Veteran's initial 30 percent disability rating for coronary artery disease is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current heart disorder did not manifest in service or to a compensable degree within one year thereafter and is not causally related to his military service.

The Veteran's heart disability is not service-connected, and his back disability does not warrant a higher initial evaluation prior to December 6, 2010. From December 6, 2010 to March 8, 2015, the Veteran's back disability warrants a 40 percent evaluation based on incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least four weeks during the past 12 months. Beginning March 9, 2015, his back disability warrants a 60 percent evaluation due to intervertebral disc syndrome with incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least six weeks during the past 12 months. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective December 6, 2010.

The Board denied claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings due to lack of evidence supporting earlier effective dates or entitlement to the benefits sought.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease was granted, and the effective date is set at February 18, 2011. The claim for PTSD was also granted but with an effective date of February 18, 2011, which is considered a mixed decision as it relates to both conditions.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and thus denied service connection for Parkinson's disease and ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a heart disorder, including ischemic heart disease, associated with herbicide exposure. The claim is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and schedule the Veteran for an examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease and residuals thereof, finding that he was exposed to herbicides in the Korean DMZ during his military service. The appeal regarding an earlier effective date for Special Monthly Pension based on the need for Aid and Attendance is dismissed.