Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for pancreatic cancer as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to inadequate development and need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for heart condition and tremors have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal. The appeals for residuals of infection in the left heel and damage to the left eye are being remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease was granted with an effective date of March 28, 2007. The Appellant is seeking a higher initial rating and earlier effective date.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 15, 2001 for the grant of service connection and a separate evaluation for valvular heart disease with CAD and severe aortic stenosis requiring CABG x 2.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and there is no evidence linking the cause of death to exposure to herbicide agents. The Board found that CAD did not contribute substantially or materially to the Veteran’s death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic kidney disease is secondary to his service-connected hypertension and hypertensive heart disease with systolic murmur, and thus service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were found to meet the criteria for a combined disability rating greater than 80 percent from July 29, 1997, to August 9, 2001, and greater than 90 percent from August 9, 2001, to June 27, 2002. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to March 13, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 60 percent for ischemic heart disease and an earlier effective date was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his ejection fraction and workload were always within the range for a 60 percent rating. For the effective date claim, the Veteran's service connection was based on presumptive exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, but he filed his claim more than one year after the regulation went into effect.

The Board denied service connection for back, neck, and bilateral knee disabilities. The claim for reopening of the coronary heart disease was granted.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical records, conduct a VA examination for CAD and provide an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, stroke and its residuals, and third nerve palsy of the left eye as secondary to hypertension.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and heart disorder due to incomplete verification of her service dates, lack of STRs and SPRs associated with all periods of service, and inadequate VA medical opinions.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss. A TDIU is granted for heart disability, and the issue of an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus disability is already rated at the maximum allowed, and no higher rating can be granted.,The Veteran's anaphylactic shock due to penicillin allergy has not manifested with symptoms during the appeal period, thus a compensable rating cannot be assigned.,Service connection for IHD was denied as there was no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents or other service events that could have caused the condition. The Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish secondary service connection through his existing service-connected conditions.,Service connection for hypothyroidism was denied because it is not shown to be related to IHD, and there is insufficient evidence linking it to active duty service.,Service connection for a heart attack was denied as the condition did not manifest during or within one year after separation from active duty service.,Service connection for TIA was denied due to lack of evidence showing its occurrence during active duty service or within one year post-service.,Service connection for aortic dissection was also denied without sufficient evidence linking it to active duty service.

The Veteran's cause of death was not due to a service-connected disability or exposure to Agent Orange. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was granted based on presumptive exposure to herbicide agents. The effective date of this award is January 22, 2009.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was rated at 60% since March 11, 2015. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to non-compliance with previous directives and erroneous advice from the RO. The cases are being returned for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the claimed conditions, particularly in relation to herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis in multiple joints to include lumbosacral spine, cervical spine, and bilateral wrists; an eye disability (cataracts); a CVA; chronic kidney disease; hypertension; diabetes mellitus, type II; peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities; peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities; and CAD. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for arthritis in multiple joints.