Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities as he does not have one disability of 60% or more and his combined disability rating is less than 70%. However, due to his other non-service connected conditions, including COPD, pulmonary hypertension, congestive heart failure, and diastolic dysfunction, the Veteran may be unemployable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a heart disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for a heart disability is denied.

The Board denied service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease (IHD), finding no evidence of in-service onset or relationship to service. The claim for glaucoma was also denied, with the secondary service connection issue being found without legal merit.,Service connection could not be granted as the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and there is no presumption of exposure to herbicide agents applicable.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he was not hospitalized for a service-connected disability, and his non-ischemic cardiomyopathy is not service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease, finding that the original claim was filed on April 11, 2004 and there were no prior documents that could be construed as a claim for ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease was not earlier than April 8, 2012.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, heart condition, sleep apnea, and memory loss disability as they are not etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic retinopathy with cataracts have precluded the Veteran from substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience. The criteria for entitlement to a TDIU were met from August 9, 2011 to January 13, 2015.

The Veteran does not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing an opinion on whether ischemic heart disease caused or aggravated the Veteran's acute myelogenous leukemia.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for coronary artery disease prior to March 31, 2016, and higher than 60 percent thereafter has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been found to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.,VA has determined that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a currently diagnosed pulmonary or respiratory disability, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary/respiratory disability.

The Board denied all increased rating claims for the Veteran's service-connected conditions, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, residuals of gallbladder removal, and GERD are denied as there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's claimed herbicide exposure and service connection for ischemic heart disease.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his hypertension, as well as whether diabetes mellitus may have aggravated his hypertension.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, including coronary artery disease, is rated at 60 percent since January 15, 2010. The issues of diabetes mellitus and TDIU are not addressed in this decision.