Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 50 percent disabling, and the Board found that this rating is appropriate based on his symptoms of anxiety, irritability, and panic attacks. The Veteran's Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) was also rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran seeks service connection for heart disease, including ischemic heart disease. The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional information regarding herbicide exposure and clarification of whether the Veteran has ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, heart disorder, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, bilateral eye disorder, and kidney disorders are not service-connected as they were not shown to be related to his military service or due to herbicide exposure. The Board found no evidence of chronic diseases during service and the onset of these conditions after separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart condition is a congenital defect and not subject to service connection as it did not undergo superimposed disease or injury during his active duty. The bilateral foot condition claim is pending further development.

The Veteran's left chest coronary artery bypass grafting scar is manifested by a linear scar that does not result in any disabling effect and is therefore rated as noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial increased rating for PTSD and a higher rating for CAD due to new evidence received since the last decisions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his service connection claim for sleep apnea.

The Board found that the Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agents and thus could not establish service connection for any of his claimed conditions based on presumed exposure. The claims were denied.

The Veteran's heart condition, diagnosed as coronary artery disease (CAD), is not service-connected.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss has been granted. The Veteran does not have right ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of whether a TDIU is warranted on an extraschedular basis due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disability is not related to service or his service-connected COPD, and therefore denied the claim.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder and hypertension, finding that the evidence did not establish a relationship to active service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, heart condition, and stroke. The issues are related to service connection and may be affected by exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, coronary artery disease, and prostate cancer are presumed to be related to his exposure to toxic herbicides in Vietnam. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, ischemic heart disease, tinnitus, scars, bilateral hearing loss, and urticaria, combine to a 70 percent disability rating. The Board finds that the evidence supports the assignment of a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding service records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for coronary artery disease and heart failure is pending.

The Veteran's diabetes, tinnitus, hearing loss, hemorrhoids, hand blisters, and a lung disability to include asbestosis were found to have their onset in service or are related to an in-service event. The upper and lower extremity neuropathies, vision problems including retinopathy, and atherosclerosis including coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease are caused or aggravated by the now sevice-connected diabetes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes and coronary artery disease are at least as likely as not due to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and the retrieval of outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since November 6, 2013. Additionally, his need for aid and attendance of another person due to his physical limitations has been established.