Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for tinnitus and heart condition, but denied reopening of the claim for lumbar spine DJD and DDD with mechanical strain. The decision on the underlying merits of these claims will be decided de novo.

The Veteran is granted a 30 percent rating for his coronary artery disease (CAD) beginning May 13, 2004. A higher rating is denied prior to July 14, 2008 and from July 14, 2008 to May 29, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) is being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded four issues related to service connection for various conditions, including heart disability, hypertension, lymph node disability (including lymphoma), and diabetes mellitus type II, all potentially due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's claim is reopened on new evidence.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, type II diabetes mellitus, heart disorder, lung disorder, cysts of the throat and right parotid gland, skin cancer of the forehead, loss of vision, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, bilateral foot swelling, and bilateral hand disorder. The claims were denied as new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these claims.

Your claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and complete a VA Form 21-4142 for names of physicians who treated you.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, which was related to exposure to an herbicide agent, has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, hypertensive retinopathy, heart disability, cholesterol, and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. The Board found no evidence of in-service diagnosis or treatment related to these conditions.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to determine if the Veteran currently has Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) or Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), and whether these conditions are related to his service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricable link with the IHD issue.

The Veteran's left great toe amputation is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. His heart disease (claimed as congestive heart failure) and peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities are granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. Erectile dysfunction is also granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted an increased rating to 40 percent.,The Veteran's hypertension is granted on a presumptive basis due to his service-connected herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not severe enough to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded several claims, including service connection for various conditions secondary to PTSD with depressive disorder. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings and additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease to include coronary artery disease was denied due to lack of a diagnosed condition prior to March 15, 2005. The effective date is set at March 15, 2005.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's specific dates of active duty, inactive duty for training (IDT), and medical discharge. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the appellant suffered a heart attack in June or July 1969 and if this event caused his current cardiovascular disability.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease from March 7, 2005 to March 17, 2005 is dismissed. A disability rating of 60 percent for the entire period on appeal from March 17, 2005 is granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.,The Veteran's CAD is currently rated at 30 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, fatty liver, and thyroid disorder due to a lack of VA examinations and outstanding treatment records.

The Board has decided that there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's heart condition and seizures are related to his service, specifically due to herbicide exposure in Korea. The decision is remanded for further investigation into the Veteran's unit history and verification of their location.