Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected Ischemic Heart Disease and other disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since August 24, 2011. His TDIU claim is granted effective from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at 100 percent combined, and the Board finds that these conditions reasonably preclude his participation in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD was restored to a 70% disability rating effective June 1, 2015. The RO reduced the Veteran’s PTSD rating from 70% to 30%, but this reduction was improper and has been restored.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, finding no current diagnosis of the condition and concluding that exposure to herbicide agents did not result in a heart disability.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease prior to September 15, 2010 was granted at a 30 percent level. From September 15, 2010 onwards, the Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating beyond 30 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for obtaining missing service records and verifying the Appellant's duty status during her medical events. The heart disorder case is also being reopened due to new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder and thus, service connection for this condition is denied. The claims for hypertension, heart disability, neurogenic bladder, deep vein thrombosis status post amputation of the left leg, and a disability manifested by a loss of sensation of the right leg are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the pending claim for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the claim for ischemic heart disease due to service and herbicide exposure as there is insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his heart disability and a temporary total evaluation following his coronary bypass surgery have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew these claims prior to any decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PVD is granted as service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents. Compensation for PVD under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied, and the Veteran is granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left leg, right elbow fracture, gout, COPD, heart disorder (including coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure), hypertension, and diabetes mellitus have been granted. The claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's CAD was granted a 60 percent rating from July 14, 2005 to August 19, 2012 and a 100 percent rating since August 20, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart disorder and residuals of stroke due to potential herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's military records show he served in the Korean DMZ, presuming him exposed to herbicides. However, there is conflicting evidence on whether the Veteran currently has ischemic heart disease or valvular heart disease, which are not covered by the presumption.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for arthropathy and joint pain, specifically involving the left and right ankles and the left and right hips, has been granted. The evidence now suggests that the Veteran may have psoriatic arthritis affecting his ankles and hips.,The Veteran's request to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a lung condition, claimed as secondary to medications taken to treat service-connected psoriasis, has also been granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was granted, but the appeal regarding service connection for depression and TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if his residuals of a cerebral vascular accident are at least as likely as not proximately due to his service-connected heart condition and/or diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot disorder, and kidney disease as they are not related to the Veteran's active duty.,The VA examiners found that these conditions did not have onset during service and were unrelated to any event, illness, or injury in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for nose bleeds, heart disability, sleep apnea, right shoulder disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral wrist disability due to insufficient development of evidence. The Veteran's service records do not show any complaints or treatment related to these conditions during his military service.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of ischemic heart disease is dismissed due to the appellant's death.