Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination and medical opinions regarding the etiology of all diagnosed heart disorders present during the period of the appeal. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disorder and liver disorder are not related to service, specifically his exposure at Camp Lejeune. The evidence does not support a finding of direct causation either.,Both conditions were diagnosed after service and there is no medical opinion linking them to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent disability rating for coronary artery disease with arrhythmias, status post coronary artery bypass grafting and cardioverter defibrillator implantation (CAD) is denied. The Board found that the basis of his claim was not CUE but rather a change in law or VA issue following the October 2003 rating decision.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of osteomyelitis or valvular heart disease. The VA examinations did not provide sufficient information to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss and erectile dysfunction are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was granted with an effective date of August 31, 2010. The condition is presumed to be due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to May 4, 2011. As of May 4, 2011, a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused his coronary artery disease with ischemic heart disease, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided the case must be remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's heart disability was permanently aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an examination and opinion from another VA examiner regarding the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, eating disorder, and their relationship to her coronary artery disease (CAD) and hypertension. The case is also being returned for additional development of medical records.

The cause of the Veteran's death was subarachnoid bleeding due to or as a consequence of epidural hematoma, which was caused by a fall and head injuries. The Board found that this condition was not causally related to his service-connected compression fracture of the eleventh dorsal vertebrae.

The Board has remanded the claims for a sleep disorder, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development being needed. The heart condition claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disabilities are proximately caused by his service-connected cervical spine disability. The claims for rheumatoid arthritis, heart disability, and chronic fatigue syndrome have not been met due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death, and the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted. The issues of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure and an automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus, heart disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), and COPD are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for his arteriosclerotic heart disease has been denied by the Board. The condition is currently rated at 30 percent, effective October 5, 1990.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum opinion from a VA medical reviewer to address whether any of the Veteran's causes of death could be attributed directly to his military service, including in-service symptoms of increased weight.