Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable, and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus, as it originated in-service and continues to this day.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease was denied in July 2012, but reopened and granted effective October 28, 2013. The Board found that the earliest date of receipt of a claim is October 28, 2013, which is one year prior to the reopening request.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the current conditions are less likely related to in-service noise exposure. The rating for atherosclerotic coronary artery disease remains at 60 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support the claim of service connection, but found that the Veteran met the schedular requirements for TDIU.

The Veteran's cause of death is not related to any service-connected conditions, and the appeal for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and sleep disorder due to conflicting evidence and need for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and onychomycosis are service-connected. The heart disability claim is denied. Service connection for insomnia disorder is granted. The hypertension claim is remanded due to missing records.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is currently rated at 60 percent, effective August 31, 2010. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right thumb disability, back disability, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus due to new evidence from VA medical records and a need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a right shoulder disorder, bilateral knee disorder, hypertension, heart disorder, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for dysuria remains pending.

The appeal of the increased rating for type II diabetes mellitus is dismissed. The reduction in evaluation for coronary artery disease was not proper, and a restoration of the 60 percent disability rating is granted. The issue of entitlement to TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and ischemic heart disease, prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment during the period from August 12, 2010 to April 29, 2013. The Board granted a TDIU for this period.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential herbicide exposure. The Veteran's personnel records need to be obtained, and if applicable, a determination will be made regarding his presumed exposure.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is contesting the denial of attorney fees for past due benefits granted in a December 2011 rating decision. The appeal requires corrective action to ensure full compliance with contested claims procedures.

The Veteran's initial ratings for arteriosclerotic heart disease and PTSD were denied, with the Board finding that his symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and migraine headaches due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not directly related to his military service, but there is some conflicting evidence regarding whether his conditions may be linked to exposure during his Gulf War service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete service personnel and treatment records. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination for lung and heart disabilities.