Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for coronary artery disease and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a VA examination.

The appeal for SMC for the loss of use of a creative organ is dismissed.,Issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.,Service connection for tinnitus is remanded as it may be related to his hearing loss, which has not been addressed yet.,Service connection for a heart condition, presumed secondary to herbicide agent exposure (gulf war), is remanded. Additional VA treatment records are needed.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to the possibility of current psychiatric disability.,The rating for neurodermatitis is remanded as there may be changes in medication use.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension and chronic kidney disease, as these claims involve new evidence not previously considered.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease has been rated at a 10 percent since September 2013. The Board determined that the evidence shows more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year, or; workload of greater than three METs but not greater than five METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope or; left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 30 to 50 percent. Therefore, a 60 percent rating is granted for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been rated at 10 percent each, effective May 18, 2012.,Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) has also been granted service connection with a 10 percent rating, effective May 18, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, and liver cancer, are sufficient to render him unemployable without regard to his age or any nonservice-connected disorders. The Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records related to the Veteran's death and service-connected conditions. The issues of service connection for a right foot condition and low back condition are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating greater than 60 percent for CAD with palpitations has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and additional development is necessary before a decision may be rendered on the appealed issues of service connection for cause of the Veteran's death; and entitlement to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for gout has been dismissed. The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD, IHD, prostate cancer, type II diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy due to his exposure to herbicide agents during service in the South China Sea.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 20, 2002 for the award of service connection for ischemic heart disease/CAD/atriial fibrillation/dilated cardiomyopathy due to the Veteran's presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of heat exhaustion, to include a heart condition is denied as the evidence does not establish a causal relationship between his in-service episodes of heat exhaustion and his current heart conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, toe amputations, and an acquired psychiatric disability are all granted. The issues of service connection for upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, back disability, sleep apnea, hypertension, benign prostatic hypertrophy, kidney disability (hematuria), and GERD and tinea corporis remain pending.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type 2 and coronary artery disease have been denied.,The Veteran's service connection claims for erectile dysfunction, as well as the effective dates of his service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and coronary artery disease, are being remanded.

The Veteran is granted service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide exposure during service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (depression) is also granted as secondary to his now service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including degenerative joint disease, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, hypertension, coronary artery disease, benign prostatic hyperplasia, status post penis carcinoma, and right shoulder status post lipoma. The claims are based on direct service connection rather than presumptive exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted as it is presumed to be caused by herbicide exposure during his service aboard the U.S.S. Bennington.