Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the cause of the Veteran's death was not related to service or a service-connected disability, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's heart disability is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD.,There is no evidence of fibromyalgia during the pendency of the claim. The claim for service connection for fibromyalgia is denied.,An initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for chronic diarrhea is granted.

The Veteran's heart disorder, including coronary artery disease, is granted as due to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam.

The appeals of the issues of entitlement to service connection for arthritis, hypertension, a sleep disorder, a heart disorder, heat stroke, a gastrointestinal disorder, an arm disorder, a cholesterol disorder, a thyroid disorder, and hypokalemia are dismissed.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of service connection for a cervical spine disorder and asthma. The remaining issues have been remanded for further action.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease was granted a 100% rating for the period from November 26, 2013 to September 11, 2014.

The Veteran's death was attributed to metastatic rectal cancer, but the cause of his death is being remanded for further verification and medical opinions regarding service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disabilities, left-sided hemiparesis, and posttraumatic stress disorder have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to prepare meals, manage medication, assist with hygiene needs, and protect himself from daily hazards.

The Board has dismissed the issue of service connection for a heart condition. The Veteran's seizures were rated as 40% disabling from March 6, 2014 and granted TDIU effective July 2, 2010. SMC A&A was also granted effective March 6, 2014.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent, and his tinnitus is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. The Veteran's CAD has been granted a 30 percent rating effective May 31, 2011, and a 60 percent rating effective April 4, 2012. His diabetes mellitus, type II, is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 20 percent for each affected extremity. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathies are all rated at the maximum schedular ratings. Effective dates have been granted for various conditions and disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives and failure to obtain additional medical records. The Veteran's cause of death is related to ischemic heart disease, but service connection for this condition remains unclear.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disability has been of sufficient severity to produce unemployability, and a TDIU is granted. The initial rating for coronary artery disease remains at 60 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder and heart disorder due to in-service exposure to hazardous chemicals, including asbestos, battery fluid, or diesel fuel. The Veteran's conditions were not shown to be causally related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a disability manifested by malaise, heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have all been denied.,Service connection has not been established for any of these conditions on a direct basis due to lack of evidence showing their onset during active duty service or being related to such service.

The Veteran's cardiovascular disability, diagnosed as coronary artery disease, is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service in Thailand. The Board found the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents and thus his condition is presumed related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial 100 percent disability rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) status post coronary artery bypass grafting is granted. The claim for a noncompensable disability rating for the surgical scar secondary to his service-connected CAD is denied. The effective date of the grant of service connection for CAD status post coronary artery bypass grafting with surgical scar is set at October 26, 2017.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's tinnitus disability remains at a 10 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular rating available.,For the period from March 1, 2017 to May 18, 2017, and since September 1, 2017, the Veteran’s coronary artery bypass graft disability warrants a 60 percent rating. For the period prior to June 7, 2017, the Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.,The Veteran meets criteria for a schedular TDIU since June 2017 due to his service-connected disabilities.

Effective dates of April 21, 2014 are granted for the grants of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DM2) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Effective dates prior to April 21, 2014 are denied for all other issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's death and service.

The Board denied the petitions to reopen claims for service connection of heart disorder, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and service.