Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board has denied service connection for a heart condition and granted an effective date of January 30, 2013, for service-connected bipolar disorder. The Veteran's initial claim was implicitly denied in October 1999 due to her failure to appear for a VA examination. Her second informal claim was not developed until January 2014 when she applied again and received the grant of service connection for bipolar disorder. The Board has also remanded the issues of an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for service-connected bipolar disorder and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, and other conditions, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) beginning January 5, 2010.

The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for coronary artery disease (CAD) are denied as the evidence does not show more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure, a workload greater than 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 30 to 50 percent.,The Veteran's increased rating for CAD beginning March 30, 2011 is denied as the evidence does not show chronic congestive heart failure, a workload of less than 3 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 30 percent.,The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type II are denied as the evidence does not show regulation of activities, required daily insulin use, or hospitalizations during the period at issue.,The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy in the right lower extremity are denied as the evidence does not show moderate, incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy in the left lower extremity are denied as the evidence does not show moderate, incomplete paralysis.

The Board found that the Veteran's death in May 2014 was not caused by any fault on the part of VA, and thus denied the claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical opinions regarding his ability to work, and further development of federal personnel records and SSA disability records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for several issues, including an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for anxiety disorder NOS and depressive disorder NOS, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for ischemic heart disease, and a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The missing November 2013 VA examination report is needed.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease, status post coronary artery bypass graft, is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 4, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for organic heart disease, to include coronary artery disease and residuals of a myocardial infarction and coronary bypass surgery, as it was not incurred or aggravated during service, is not presumed due to herbicide exposure, and is not secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxiety and panic attacks is found to be secondary to his service-connected peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities. Service connection for emboli to both lungs, post-phlebitic syndrome with peripheral vascular disease of the left and right lower extremities, and heart condition (cardiomegaly) are all granted. The Veteran's back disability and sleep apnea claims remain denied.

The Veteran's death was caused by cardiac arrest, which the VA examiner opined was not related to his service-connected coronary artery disease. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to determine whether the Veteran’s service-connected coronary artery disease contributed substantially or materially to his cause of death.

The Veteran's tinnitus and ischemic heart disease claims are remanded for further evaluation. The hearing loss claim is also remanded, but with a request to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and earlier effective dates have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death and burial benefits due to incomplete VA medical opinions. The appellant is asked to provide additional information and/or evidence, including private records.

The Board has remanded the claims for coronary artery disease and TDIU due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's condition, and a need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals on various service connection claims have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, as there may be pertinent treatment records in existence that have not yet been associated with the claims file. The appellant's service records need to be verified, and all outstanding medical records must be obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims due to a lack of cardiology records that could provide evidence on whether the Veteran had ischemic heart disease and if it was caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection has been granted. The decision also includes a finding of TDIU.