Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is being remanded due to the need for further evidentiary development, including obtaining records related to his workers' compensation claims and medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pancreatic cancer and earlier effective date for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of direct service connection for pancreatic cancer, which was related to his active duty service, including exposure to herbicides. For the earlier effective date, the Board found that the Veteran's claim for CAD has been pending since June 30, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea. The cases of bilateral ankle disabilities, heart disability, left testicular disability, and bilateral eye condition are remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and arteriosclerotic heart disease due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a left knee condition and heart condition have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the claims for an earlier effective date for CAD and service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to procedural issues, including failure to notify the Veteran of scheduled examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine if service connection is warranted for ischemic heart disease, kidney stones, and chronic cholecystitis.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected coronary artery disease are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it pertains to the same period of time.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to lack of herbicide exposure. However, the Veteran's heart condition was granted as it is likely caused by his hypertension.

The Board has denied service connection for ischemic heart disease due to a lack of current diagnosis. The appeal regarding the effective date and initial rating for PTSD and major depressive disorder is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of August 19, 2010, for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure. The claim was received after the liberalizing law that added ischemic heart disease as a presumptive condition due to in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's heart disability claim is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected heart disability. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the increased rating claim.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various conditions, including hypertension, varicose veins with PAD resulting from DVT, low back disability, neck disability, CAD with MI, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, deviated left nasal septum, and malocclusion of the anterior maxilla.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at 60% for the entire initial rating period, and his scars are rated at 10% prior to November 6, 2012, and 20% from that date onwards.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and coronary artery disease with ischemic cardiomyopathy, as well as a higher rating for his right knee disability, are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined and will be remanded concurrently.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are needed to properly assess the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease, PTSD, COPD, erectile dysfunction, and TDIU. The issues of service connection and rating will be remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to new evidence received since the last denial. The issue of entitlement to a higher initial rating for coronary artery disease, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and erectile dysfunction, as well as total disability based on individual unemployability will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, residuals of a left ankle injury, mesothelioma, heart disability including coronary artery disease and ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus.,Additional issues related to hearing loss, tinnitus, arthritis, right ankle disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and temporary total rating for a period of convalescence have been remanded.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims, including for asthma, coronary artery disease, actinic keratosis, alopecia, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with other claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease and major depressive disorder are being remanded due to the need for updated examinations.