Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's initial rating for Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating. The Veteran's prostate cancer post-prostatectomy is rated noncompensable, and his TDIU claim is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease status post bypass grafts with surgical scar, finding that there is no competent or credible evidence of cardiovascular disability in service or until years after service. The most competent and probative evidence weighs against the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a heart disorder, including ischemic heart disease (IHD), to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents. The case is being returned for further development and an examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a heart disorder, finding no current diagnosis and insufficient evidence to link any past condition to service.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Thailand. The decision is based on the presumption of exposure due to his service at Takhili Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hypertension is service-connected, but it was not rated appropriately. The case is being sent back for further evaluation to determine a proper rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability is denied. Effective dates of October 19, 2007 are granted for service connection for PN in both lower extremities and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and obtaining outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the conditions and service.,Service connection for coronary artery disease has also been denied as there is no evidence that it began during or was aggravated by service.

The reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for coronary artery disease from 60 percent to 30 percent, effective March 1, 2015, was improper. The 60 percent rating is restored.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have been incurred in service, and the claim for service connection for this condition is granted.,The issue of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to new contentions presented by the Veteran's representative regarding his chemical exposure during active duty service and its relation to his current diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records. The claims for service connection are related to exposure to herbicides, but no such evidence has been provided.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, including a heart murmur, has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his heart condition.

The Board granted a 100% rating for the Veteran's service-connected heart disability effective from January 22, 2008, resolving both the increased rating issue and the effective date issue concerning the heart disability rating on appeal.

The Veteran's heart disability, diagnosed as coronary artery disease, is presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The claims for right eye disability, tinnitus, vertigo, gastric ulcer disease and chronic reflux esophagitis, cellulitis of the left lower extremity are all remanded.

The Veteran's cause of death is being remanded for further review due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and his death.

The Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for coronary artery disease and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's asbestosis is rated at 60 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board also denied his claim for TDIU prior to March 29, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 30 percent, but no higher, for left knee chondromalacia with degenerative arthritis is granted. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating due to the presence of flare-ups during which he cannot use his knee at all.