Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in the previous decision regarding service connection for cause of death, specifically concerning whether prostate cancer was the immediate or underlying cause of death and whether hypertensive heart disease is related to service exposure. The examiner must provide a more detailed opinion on these issues.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II are presumed to be service-connected due to herbicide-agent exposure during active duty.,The Veteran's hypertension, gallbladder residuals, neuropathy of the lower extremities, and kidney disability are remanded for further examination and opinion.

For the period prior to November 3, 2018, the Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected coronary artery disease. For the period beginning November 3, 2018, the claim for a TDIU is moot as he has been granted a 100% disability rating for dementia.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for generalized anxiety disorder was dismissed as the appeal had already been activated into the Board’s Legacy appeals system.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The June 2019 audiometric test results showed that the Veteran met criteria for a 10 percent disability rating, which is the maximum allowed under DC 6100.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was denied as it already received the maximum schedular rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for type II diabetes mellitus was denied. The June 2019 audiometric test results showed that the Veteran met criteria for a 10 percent disability rating, which is the maximum allowed under DC 7913.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 9, 2019 for the award of an increased 100 percent disability rating for coronary artery disease status post myocardial infraction and coronary artery bypass graft surgery was denied. The increase in disability did not meet the one-year criteria.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 9, 2019 for basic eligibility for Dependents’ Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 was denied as he had a permanent and total service-connected disability from May 9, 2019.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 9, 2019 for the grant of special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria was denied as his disabilities did not meet the percentage requirements prior to that date.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease, as secondary to PTSD, is denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's CAD was not related to his PTSD.

The Veteran's request to reopen a claim for service connection for a heart disorder was denied because new and material evidence did not present any information that would support the claim. The Board also remanded the case for scheduling a VA examination for bilateral foot problems.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to military service or his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for Parkinson's Disease, bilateral hearing loss, asthma, COPD, heart condition, back injury, and bipolar disorder. The VA is directed to obtain updated treatment records, SSA records, and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD). The Veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for CAD, and the Board finds a need to reassess his condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, heart disability, prostate cancer, and bladder cancer due to in-service exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE). The VA is required to obtain relevant treatment records from VA facilities and a University Medical Center. A medical opinion is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service or TCE exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an independent medical expert opinion regarding whether the Veteran's MRSA infection was caused by VA negligence or unforeseeable event, and if so, addressing all residual disabilities associated with the MRSA infection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart disorder and brain injury associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage due to inadequate opinions in the July 2019 VA examinations.

The Veteran's death due to a cardiac event was not caused by VA medical care, and the Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of negligence or fault on the part of VA providers.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, including ischemic heart disease, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such conditions and the evidence does not establish a link to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for residuals of cardiovascular accidents, including transient ischemic attacks, as secondary to service-connected ischemic heart disease due to lack of a VA examination.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted. The issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus and heart disability is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure is granted, as his condition is presumed based on his in-service exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, heart disability, and hypertension due to VA's duty to assist errors. The Veteran was not afforded VA examinations or opinions regarding his conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II and its secondary conditions. The case is being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of ischemic heart disease is granted due to presumed exposure during service. The issue of TDIU based on PTSD is dismissed as moot because the Veteran now has a 100% rating for PTSD.