Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and PTSD render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to August 2, 2013, from December 1, 2013, to September 3, 2015, and from April 1, 2016, to June 27, 2016.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart and lung conditions did not result from VA carelessness, negligence, or error. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease was evaluated at a 30 percent rating since October 4, 2007. The condition is characterized by left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 30 to 50 percent.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was not manifested with congestive heart failure, left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 30 percent or a workload of 3 METs or less resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness or syncope prior to May 12, 2017. Therefore, the Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for coronary artery disease in excess of 60 percent prior to that date is denied.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected as the cause of death, and his service-connected disability did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran was unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, and CAD. The Board finds that a TDIU is warranted for the period from November 4, 2010 to November 19, 2012.

The Board denied the reopening of a previously denied service-connection claim for a left foot disability and denied entitlement to service-connection for a heart disability.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for the service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD). The Veteran's current disability picture does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's varicose veins were found to be more nearly approximating a 60 percent disability rating for the entire period on appeal. The heart condition was not service-connected, but it may have been secondary to his service-connected varicose veins.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a chronic heart disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection in any of these areas.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for atrial septal defect status post-surgical repair, ischemic heart disease, and coronary atherosclerosis without stenosis as there was no direct evidence of onset during service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination to assess his employment potential due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder is already compensated for, and there is no controversy regarding memory loss.,Prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease are presumed due to herbicide exposure in service.,Peripheral neuropathy is secondary to the Veteran's diabetes mellitus.,Bilateral hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for a disability. Tinnitus was less likely than not related to service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues on the February 4, 2014 SOC.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination for back disability and unclear diagnosis of heart disorder. The Veteran is scheduled for a VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including DDD of the lumbosacral spine and coronary artery disease, preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and SSA disability benefits file. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated after this is completed.

The Veteran's appeal is granted for increased ratings in various areas, including coronary artery disease and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The reduction of the rating for left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy from 10 percent to noncompensable was found proper.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, effective November 26, 2011. The Veteran's depression, skin disorder (seborrheic keratosis), and bladder cancer have not been established as related to service.