Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss prior to September 28, 2013 was denied. An initial 10 percent rating is granted on and after September 28, 2013.,A heart disorder, including as due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents, remains an issue for remand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's CAD requires a remand due to insufficient evidence of current disability severity and potential worsening. Additionally, the issue of TDIU is inextricably intertwined with the CAD rating issue.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for coronary artery disease is remanded due to the need to obtain private medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to December 21, 2011. The Board found that his employment termination was due to personal reasons and not related to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's thoracic spine strain is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds a 20 percent rating is warranted.,The Veteran’s right elbow lateral epicondylitis warrants an initial rating in excess of 10 percent.,The effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus must be earlier than December 17, 2007.,The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy requires a higher initial rating.,The Veteran’s coronary artery disease with bypass graft warrants an initial rating in excess of 30 percent.,The effective date for service connection of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy must be earlier than March 25, 2010.,The Veteran's hypertension requires a higher initial compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and heart disability due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's service records indicate he served in Vietnam with awards like the Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because the Veteran's self-employment earnings were above the poverty threshold and did not constitute a protected work environment.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome is granted as service connection was reopened.,Service connection for lumbar spine disability with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and insomnia), bilateral flat feet, left hip disability, right hip condition, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, heart condition, and erectile dysfunction is granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted as it is presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for rheumatoid arthritis of the knees, heart disease, nephropathy (claimed as bilateral kidneys), and neuropathy of upper and lower extremities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) has been granted at a 60 percent level, effective from the date of this decision. The Veteran also received TDIU and SMC benefits based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, left ear hearing loss, a respiratory condition (including bronchitis), sarcoidosis, and heart disease (including systolic murmur, grade 1 over aortic valve) due to incomplete records and inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for a heart disorder, but denied the claim itself due to lack of evidence showing that the pre-existing condition was aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for a heart condition, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is not ischemic heart disease and therefore not eligible for presumptive service connection due to Agent Orange exposure. The Board also found no direct evidence linking the heart condition to service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, gastroparesis, and syncope are also connected to his now service-connected diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine the appropriate METs and ejection fraction scores for the Veteran's heart disability, specifically his atrioventricular block associated with a supraventricular arrhythmia. The case will also be referred to consider an extraschedular rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a waiver of overpayment due to an overpayment in VA compensation benefits, finding that recovery would not be against equity and good conscience.