Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for hypertension and entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status. The Veteran's appeal is not resolved regarding these matters.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on housebound status has also been dismissed.

The Veteran's heart condition is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's DM is denied for an increased rating as his activities were not regulated.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, an increased rating for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension, and an earlier effective date for TDIU were all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been evaluated at the maximum available ratings, while his coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass grafting and PTSD warrant further evaluation.,Coronary artery disease requires METs testing to determine its severity. The current examination did not include this test.

The Board has denied service connection for heart disease, but has remanded the issues of bilateral blindness and residuals of a stroke due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been properly evaluated, and additional evidence is needed to determine the current severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was part of his initial claims for service connection, and he is now in receipt of a TDIU since January 21, 2010.

The Board has denied service connection for heart disability and remanded the claims of left knee, left foot, and right foot disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Board previously denied service connection for a heart disability. The Court remanded the case due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted as it is presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure during his military service in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the highest level of aid and attendance was denied as he does not meet the legal criteria for such benefit under 38 U.S.C. § 1114 (r).

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's GERD, CAD, and right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left leg shortening, ischemic heart disease, or traumatic brain injury. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease cannot be granted as it is not shown to be related to active duty and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) status post CABG was denied. Prior to January 19, 2016, the Veteran received a 10 percent disability rating. On and after January 19, 2016, he received a 60 percent disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for a left-hand disability, right-hand disability, and sinusitis. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.,Service connection was denied for heart disability and TMJ.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating prior to August 3, 2016 and from August 3, 2016 until March 26, 2018.

The Veteran's initial and increased rating claims for CAD are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.,The Veteran's service connection claims for asthma, dermatitis, hypertension, and prostate condition are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder is granted at a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. Service connection for coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure is also granted.