Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for hearing loss is granted. Service connection for ischemic heart disease or coronary artery disease, hypertension, and hemorrhagic cerebrovascular accidents and seizures are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied as there was no prior claim before October 27, 2013. The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for CAD is remanded due to lack of recent VA examination.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is service connected, and it was a contributing cause of his death.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation in excess of 60 percent for service-connected coronary artery disease with atrial fibrillation was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7005. Additionally, the Veteran's TDIU claim from November 2015 was granted due to his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's death was caused by a stroke, which is not service-connected and did not manifest within one year of separation. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including an earlier effective date for tinnitus and ischemic heart disease (congestive heart failure), as well as a disability rating for ischemic heart disease. The effective dates remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease was received on November 30, 2012. The effective date of the award is set at one year from the date of receipt of the original claim, which is November 30, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) with bypass is remanded due to the failure to appear for a VA examination scheduled on remand. The Board will schedule another VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various psychiatric, sleep apnea, heart disorder, hypertension, cerebrovascular accident, and headaches. The issues include verifying in-service stressors, obtaining SSA records, and providing a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral forearm skin lesions and heart disability due to radiation exposure have been granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for ischemic heart disease and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an updated VA examination and consideration of whether a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and ischemic heart disease as presumptive conditions associated with herbicide exposure during the Veteran's service in Thailand.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease to include as due to exposure to certain herbicides is granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disorder and trachea disorder due to herbicide exposure are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for B-cell leukemia to include as due to exposure to certain herbicides is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease to include as due to exposure to certain herbicides has been reopened.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70% to 50%, effective October 1, 2016. The reduction is denied.,SMC based on housebound criteria has been discontinued since October 1, 2016, but the matter remains pending and needs further review.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for right ankle disability was denied in an August 1994 rating decision. New and material evidence has not been received to reopen this claim, so the denial remains final. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease is being remanded due to conflicting medical evidence. A new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity and extent of his condition.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to myocardial degeneration (arteriosclerotic heart disease), which is presumed to have been incurred in service. The Veteran also qualifies for VA burial benefits.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for ischemic heart disease has been denied by the Board. The evidence does not meet the criteria required for a 100 percent rating, as there is no evidence of chronic congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction under 30 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for non-obstructive coronary artery disease on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents during active military service in the Republic of Vietnam.