Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease from January 1, 2015 is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and coronary artery disease, prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to December 20, 2015. The Board granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for this period.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and ischemic heart disease need more information from his medical records to determine if he meets the criteria for these conditions.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease status post myocardial infarction and coronary artery bypass graft, to include atrial fibrillation, is rated at 100 percent from May 13, 2017.,A compensable initial rating of 10 percent for residual surgical scars associated with the Veteran’s heart surgery has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his coronary artery disease is remanded due to uncertainty in the METs level and LVEF assessment, which are required for evaluation.

The Veteran's gout is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no evidence of incapacitating episodes. The heart disability claim for service connection due to herbicide exposure and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are both remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding a rating in excess of 30 percent for coronary artery disease before the Board made a decision. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during his active duty. The Board also found that the diagnoses are not within one year of separation from service.,For the left knee disability, the Veteran has been granted a temporary total rating due to convalescence following a total knee replacement from October 13, 2015, through December 1, 2016. The claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right eye arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy was rated at 20 percent prior to September 27, 2005. The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for this condition. For the period from September 5, 2002 through July 14, 2010, the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities has been denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities alone at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to coronary artery disease, which is presumed related to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to coronary artery disease, which is presumed related to herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's CAD is currently rated at 10 percent prior to August 9, 2013 and at 30 percent thereafter. The appeal for a higher rating was denied.,PTSD has been granted a total disability evaluation, but the TDIU claim was dismissed as moot due to the PTSD grant.

The Board has remanded the claims for coronary artery disease due to incomplete records and the need for a new VA examination. The issues include determining appropriate initial ratings from specific dates.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of ischemic heart disease has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board granted an effective date of December 31, 2007 for service connection of aortic aneurysm and aortic stenosis secondary to the appellant's service-connected hypertension. The rating assigned was 100% from October 9, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange and eligibility for death pension benefits.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for service connection and SMC benefits. The appeals are remanded for further development on several issues, including service connection claims and rating determinations.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disorder, and hypertension as they are not related to the veteran's military service. The character of discharge due to willful and persistent misconduct bars VA benefits for this period.