Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease, status post PCI and CABG, is 60 percent. The Board finds that further development is needed due to recent hospitalization and additional stents.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease is related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's death was not caused by service-connected disability, and the claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied. The cause of death is remanded to determine if it may be related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for hearing loss, dizziness, tinnitus, heart disability, liver disability, GERD, and sleep disability due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance, as his inability to perform daily activities is attributed to nonservice-connected conditions. The Board finds the preponderance of evidence against the claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral eye problems, including cataracts and glaucoma, has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than September 20, 2014 for the grant of service connection for UPPP with removal of tonsils, pharynx and uvula (problem from throat surgery) including incomplete organic aphonia (vocal dysphonia) and epistaxis (nose bleeds), has been denied as there is no evidence prior to September 20, 2014 that could be construed as a claim of service connection for UPPP.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease status post CABG since October 30, 2018 is granted at a 60 percent level. The Veteran's PTSD is denied an initial higher than 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened, and he is now granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. Service connection for ischemic heart disease is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action on the issues of an initial rating greater than 20 percent for bladder dysfunction, and effective dates earlier than July 3, 2014, for service connection for single vessel CAD and TDIU.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during service and is granted.,There is no evidence of a current left toe disability, denial for this issue.,The Veteran does not have a current back disability, hypertension, or erectile dysfunction related to service. Denial for these issues.,The right foot condition is attributed to diabetes mellitus rather than service. Denial for this issue.,The Veteran's chest pain (heart disability) was likely due to his pre-existing GERD and not service-related. Denial for this issue.,No rating assigned as the claims are denied.,No rating assigned as the claims are denied.,No rating assigned as the claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a Total Disability Rating for Compensation Purposes Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's TDIU claim was previously denied, and the Board found that referral to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service, for extraschedular consideration is warranted.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of low back pain and remanded other issues related to heart disease, hearing loss, radiculopathy, and TDIU. The Veteran's claims are pending due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's valvular heart disease was granted service connection. The Board found the Veteran did not have a current knee, respiratory, headache, or ingrown toenails disability and remanded for further development regarding these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for heart disability, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus type II on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure during active duty in Thailand.

The Veteran's low back disorder is granted service connection.,Service connection for a heart disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases of ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II for further factual development regarding potential in-service exposure to herbicides. The temporary total evaluation due to heart surgery is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issues.

The Board has denied service connection for heart disability, headache disability, sleep disability, acquired psychiatric disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral hearing loss as there is no probative evidence of current disabilities. The claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease (CAD), atrial fibrillation, sleep apnea, gastrointestinal disorder, Raynaud’s syndrome of hands and feet, kidney disorder with stones, night sweats, and hypertension due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has determined that an additional VA examination and medical opinion are needed to determine the nature and etiology of any heart disorder that may be present, including whether it is related to service or service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his coronary artery disease is denied because the symptoms are attributed to nonservice-connected mitral valve disease.