Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye condition, heart condition, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been reopened. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus and various musculoskeletal disorders.

Service connection is granted for ischemic heart disease due to presumed exposure. Service connection for cause of death (diabetes mellitus, type II) was previously granted in a February 2007 rating decision and remains unchanged.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's carotid heart disease may be related to service, and therefore a remand is needed for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his coronary artery disease and PTSD is being remanded for additional development. The decision on the current rating for coronary artery disease remains denied, with a finding that it warrants only a 60 percent disability rating.

The Board has ordered remand for the following matters: retroactive benefits for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure and DIC, including service connection for the cause of death. The record is incomplete or inaccurate, and additional records are needed from VA and private sources. A medical opinion is also required regarding the impact of the Veteran's documented IHD on his death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence for some issues and the need for further examinations.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability and ischemic heart disease (IHD) due to herbicide exposure are remanded. The VA examiner found no evidence linking the low back disability to service, but acknowledged the Veteran’s testimony about his symptoms since service. For IHD, the AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's alleged exposure to herbicides in Thailand and provide a medical opinion on its relationship with service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic brain injury, tension headaches, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, vascular dementia, and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU based on these combined disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss due to inconsistencies in the January 2014 audiological examination report. A new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was granted with an effective date of October 3, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability and entitlement to TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Veteran's claims for heart disability, hepatitis, kidney disability, and TBI were denied. Service connection for schizophrenia was granted with a 30 percent rating effective March 17, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in the VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's nonischemic heart disease, AICD, and status post myocardial infarction is at least as likely as not caused by a disease or injury in service, including exposure to herbicides or Agent Orange.

The Veteran's throat cancer, which led to his death in 2011, was not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to his military service. The Board denied service connection for the cause of death because there was no evidence that any service-connected disability caused or contributed to the Veteran’s death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's heart condition, including his claimed rheumatic fever during service and any relationship to herbicide exposure. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity for VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and whether his service connection is related to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's respiratory/pulmonary problems, heart condition (coronary artery disease), hypertension, circulatory condition, skin condition, recurrent headaches, eye condition and vision problems, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and psychiatric condition are not related to his military service.,The Veteran's current disabilities do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD) has been rated at 30 percent since the appeal began. The Board found that his condition, including his ischemic heart disease and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, did not warrant a higher rating as it did not meet the criteria for more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction between 30 to 50 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, type II diabetes, tinnitus, bilateral pseudophakia, and bilateral hearing loss, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).