Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including bilateral knee chondrocalcinosis and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, were not found to be causally related to his active military service. The Board denied claims for service connection based on direct evidence and denied all other issues due to lack of a probative nexus between current disabilities and service.

The rating reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis status post C2 fracture was improper, and the 20 percent rating is restored.,Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected a fracture of the right radial styloid is denied.,Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected hypertensive heart disease with left ventricular dysfunction and an ejection fraction greater than 50 percent but less than 7 METs resulting in relevant symptomatology is denied.,Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected anxiety is denied.,Entitlement to a compensable disability rating for service-connected right wrist scar is denied.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to have been incurred in wartime service due to herbicide agent exposure. The Board granted service connection for this condition.,The cause of the Veteran’s death, cardiomyopathy, was found to be caused by his now service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for coronary artery disease is denied. The Board also finds that the issue of TDIU should be remanded as it was not part and parcel of his active claim for an increase in ratings, but rather a separate claim.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating prior to April 20, 2015 based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendering him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, finding that he did not have a current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease or coronary heart disease and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim. The Board also found no evidence of herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension has been granted. The effective date is not specified as it was received after September 15, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's heart condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion, and now requires a new addendum from a VA internal medicine specialist to determine if the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer and coronary artery disease contributed to his overall decline in health such that he was unable to resist the effects of the primary cause of death (cardio-respiratory arrest due to COPD and right heart failure).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence not having been received. The Veteran's original claim for residuals of a right spontaneous pneumothorax was denied in December 1990, and no new or material evidence has since been submitted.

The Board has denied service connection for back disability, sleep apnea, heart disability, hypertension, and hepatitis C as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's coronary artery disease, and to assign an appropriate effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the onset and cause of the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically whether it is related to his military service or aggravated by his heart condition.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease from October 9, 1998 to October 17, 2008 is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding the METs estimation.

The Board denied service connection for coronary heart disease and the cause of death, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's period of service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have any service-connected disabilities listed as contributing causes of his death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, and binary lipid disease due to potential exposure at Camp Lejeune. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions and need for additional evidence regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran has a current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease and whether his heart condition was incurred or aggravated by service, including exposure to herbicides. The case will also be reviewed to see if there is evidence of herbicide exposure during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for Ischemic Heart Disease, Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus, and Right Shoulder Disorder as the evidence did not support a current disability or link to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in Thailand, which could impact his claims for service connection. The case is being remanded for further action.