Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and ischemic heart disease due to noise exposure in service. The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed based on herbicide exposure during his time at the U-Tapao Air Force Base.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied service connection claim for hypertension. Service connection is also granted for this condition. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a heart condition, COPD, an enlarged prostate, and hypothyroidism due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted, and his increased rating claim for lumbosacral strain is partially granted with a 10 percent rating effective January 31, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right shoulder disability has been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for left shoulder traumatic arthritis is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for non-hodgkin’s lymphoma was withdrawn. The Board granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, as he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his multiple conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims for various disabilities and a claim for TDIU. The main issue is the need to obtain medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and in-service exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a heart disability has been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) as a result of exposure to herbicide agents is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding his alleged Vietnam service. The AOJ must verify the Veteran’s TDY service in Vietnam and obtain any additional relevant records, including performance evaluations from March to August 1967.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for coronary artery disease is denied as it was received within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's heart disability is being remanded for further evaluation due to conflicting opinions and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, bladder cancer, peripheral vascular disease, and periodic leg movement during sleep are all granted. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for peripheral vascular disease and periodic leg movement disorder due to potential secondary or aggravating effects on these conditions.

Your appeals regarding service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has restored a 60 percent disability rating for ischemic heart disease and SMC at the housebound rate, effective May 1, 2016. The Veteran's IHD was previously reduced to 10 percent in February 2016 but has now been restored.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for service-connected coronary artery disease, entitlement to special monthly compensation based on housebound status, and total disability rating due to individual unemployability. The Veteran's claim is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his coronary artery disease (CAD) was granted, and he is now rated at 100% throughout the appeal period. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to August 5, 2003, was dismissed as moot due to the grant of a higher rating for CAD.

The Board denied service connection for breathing condition, coronary artery disease (CAD), and residuals of prostate cancer to include as a result of asbestos exposure due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension, as it is unclear whether this condition is related to herbicide exposure or his service-connected heart disability.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease, along with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from August 30, 2012. He is also eligible for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate during this period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability individual unemployability (TDIU) rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension, to include as secondary to ischemic heart disease is denied. Other claims are either remanded or dismissed.