Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for left eye disability, heart disability, right knee disability and diabetes are inadequate. Therefore, the claims are being remanded to provide new examinations.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease was rated at 10 percent from October 20, 2013 to October 15, 2014 and granted a 100 percent rating starting from October 16, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the cause of death and its relation to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension due to exposure in Vietnam, as well as its relationship to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease. Additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete records, including SSA disability benefits records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's left knee and low back disabilities are also being examined to determine their current severity.

Service connection for a heart disability is granted.,New and material evidence has been received, allowing the reopening of claims for service connection for hypertension, peripheral vascular disease of bilateral lower extremities, skin disability, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy. However, no new effective dates are granted as the evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.,Service connection for a heart disability is granted.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for the award of a schedular TDIU, and his education and occupational experience qualify him for such benefits. The nature and severity of these disabilities prevent him from performing gainful employment.,Effective August 20, 2015, ratings are granted for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (20%) and right lower extremity (20%).,Service connection is granted for PTSD with a disability rating of 70% effective March 9, 2015.,TDIU is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents in service, specifically at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB. As a result of this exposure and his diagnosed coronary artery disease, which caused his death, the Board granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart disorder and prostate cancer, specifically related to his in-service exposure to burn pits.

The Veteran's mitral valve prolapse (MVP) with coronary artery disease (CAD) is rated at 30 percent from June 1, 2015.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left foot hammer toes, right foot hammer toes, and ischemic heart disease have been denied. The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted. Service connection for acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder with anxious features) is also granted.,Service connection for left foot hammer toes and right foot hammer toes was not established as the evidence did not show a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (Ischemic heart disease and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's cerebrovascular accident and chronic headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected COPD with left pleural reaction and bronchial asthma. The Veteran's sleep apnea, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, peripheral vascular disease, and status post myocardial infarction with coronary artery disease are also granted as secondary to his service-connected COPD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicides, including Agent Orange. The claims are inextricably intertwined with a claim for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and alcohol abuse are found to be etiologically related, granting service connection for PTSD with alcohol abuse. Heart disease and kidney disease secondary to PTSD with alcohol abuse are also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service, and he has no service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's death was caused by coronary artery disease, which is not a covered herbicide-related disease. The Appellant's claim for retroactive DIC benefits under the Nehmer court order is denied as there is no legal basis to grant an earlier effective date than August 31, 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertensive heart disease and a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension due to insufficient evidence regarding whether there is a separately ratable cardiac disability, and if so, whether it is related to active service or proximately due to service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder is granted. The claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, hypertension, sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, left leg, right leg, left foot, right foot, left hip, and right hip disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for transient global amnesia is denied. The appeal for a higher rating for CAD from July 1, 2011 and the TDIU claim are both denied.