Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee, right ankle, left hip, low back strain, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), and headaches conditions as they may be related to his service-connected flat feet condition.,For the heart condition claim, a new VA examination is required due to conflicting in-service medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, have precluded him from substantially gainful occupation since May 24, 2013. An earlier effective date of May 24, 2013 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, an increased rating for pulmonary thromboembolism, and TDIU due to service-connected residuals of pulmonary thromboembolism. The decision found that there was no evidence of a heart condition or any other disability that would warrant these claims.

The Veteran's appeals for erectile dysfunction, scar associated with CAD, and renal dysfunction were dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for neck cancer, presumed due to herbicide exposure, was also denied because the disability did not manifest within one year after separation from service and is not etiologically related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to service connection and increased rating for various conditions, including low back disability, right and left leg disabilities, OSA, heart condition, hypertension, headaches, insomnia, and psychotic disorder.

The rating for hypertensive heart disease was reduced from 100% to 30% effective August 1, 2013. The reduction was improper and the rating is restored to 100%. A subsequent reduction to 60% effective December 11, 2018, was proper.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the evidence does not support a finding that his hypertension or cardiovascular-renal disease (including hypertension) began in service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for nonservice-connected pension benefits is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding his income and employment during the appeal period from April 16, 2003 to April 12, 2011. The AOJ must assess his level of disability and determine whether he meets the net worth and income requirements for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for coronary artery bypass graft (claimed as ischemic heart disease) was granted, with a 60 percent rating effective April 28, 2016. The Veteran is also entitled to a non-compensable rating for his residual cardiac surgical scar associated with the service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service treatment records, specifically those from February 2016 indicating they are in 'Oakland'. These records need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and valvular heart disease manifested by a heart murmur due to insufficient opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran must be provided with new examinations to address the evidence submitted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for ischemic heart disease and if any diagnosed heart disorder is related to service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right eye disorder, sleep apnea, and heart disorders. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for left hip and right knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease and stomach condition (claimed as GERD and diverticulitis) due to Agent Orange exposure are granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for low back, neck, left knee, and right knee disabilities are remanded due to incomplete personnel records and the need for clarification on the dates of events claimed by the Veteran.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral eye disability is remanded as there are outstanding private treatment records that have not been obtained.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and coronary artery disease (status-post CABG) are remanded due to incomplete personnel records and the need for clarification on the dates of events claimed by the Veteran.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is remanded as there are outstanding VA treatment records that have not been obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran's Thailand service qualifies for the presumption of herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records for the heart disorder and for a VA examination on whether the sinusitis symptoms are related to the service-connected condition. The Veteran is also seeking extraschedular referral for his sinusitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and ischemic heart disease (IHD) have been reopened, but the Board finds that there is not sufficient evidence to grant these claims.,The Veteran has a current diagnosis of tinnitus related to his active service. However, he does not have a confirmed diagnosis of IHD.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his service-connected PTSD. The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and opinion.