Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange in Korea, and a VA examination is needed to determine if his heart condition is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was granted, with the effective date set at May 17, 2013. The maximum schedular evaluation of 60 percent has been awarded since that date.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II due to unclear in-service herbicide exposure. Additional development is needed including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from April 7, 2017. The case is remanded for further action regarding the prior period and for extraschedular consideration of his IHD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart disease, to include as secondary to COPD, are denied. The Board found that the current disabilities were not incurred in or caused by his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart condition (coronary artery disease), and hypertension. The Veteran's tinnitus is linked to his in-service noise exposure. Diabetes mellitus, heart condition, and hypertension are not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease) was granted at a 60 percent rating effective March 25, 2015. Prior to this date, the Veteran did not meet criteria for an increased evaluation.

The Board granted service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, but remanded the claim for bipolar disorder due to inadequate medical opinion.

The appeal for service connection of ischemic heart disease is dismissed. The appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD are remanded, as well as the TDIU claim due to the inextricably intertwined nature of these issues.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, which resulted in a myocardial infarction, does not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond 30 percent as it does not result in a workload of greater than 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs that results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness or syncope; or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction (LVEF) of 30 to 50 percent.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease prior to November 22, 2017 was denied. A rating of 60 percent (but no higher) for coronary artery disease as of November 22, 2017 is granted.

The Veteran's stroke residuals are granted as secondary to his service-connected CAD. Service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is denied. A rating of 10 percent is granted for the right arm shell fragment wound residuals.

The Board has granted the reopening of the previously denied claim for service connection for a heart condition. The issue of service connection for a cervical spine disability is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and GERD as secondary to service-connected asthma. The VA will provide supplemental opinions addressing causation and aggravation.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) as the Veteran's MOS duties did not regularly place him in contact with the perimeter of the Udorn Air Force Base, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. The claim was also denied on a direct basis due to lack of medical nexus.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease and prostate cancer were granted service connection. The Veteran had pre-existing coronary artery disease that was aggravated by his active duty, while the prostate cancer manifested within one year of separation.

The Veteran's attorney withdrew the appeal due to a favorable rating decision granting all available entitlement.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's hip osteoarthritis, right leg pain, heart disability, and hypertension are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for the cause of death and death benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to insufficient evidence, including a lack of a death certificate and proper notice.

The Veteran's heart condition and hypertension are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or due to Agent Orange exposure.