Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's coronary artery disease did not result in a workload of greater than five METs but not greater than seven METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; nor was there evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilation on electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, or X-ray. Therefore, the Veteran's disability rating for coronary artery disease remains at 10 percent.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for additional accrued benefits due to her mother, as she did not qualify as a child and the expenses paid by the appellant were not considered related to her mother's last sickness.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral pneumothoraces, bronchitis, and pleurisy, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and central nervous system disorder due to non-compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for CHF/heart disease because the evidence did not establish that the Veteran's additional disability was proximately due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault by VA.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type 2 are granted as they are related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran's diabetic neuropathy of the left lower extremity is also granted, as it is causally related to his newly service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, is denied.

The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his ischemic heart disease, and the Board has decided to remand the case for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right leg above the knee amputation and left lower foot peripheral neuropathy, have resulted in a combined disability rating of 90 percent. The Board has determined that these conditions meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing due to locomotion limitations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, heart disorder, and diabetes mellitus have been denied as there is no current evidence of such conditions during the pendency of his claim.,Service connection has also been remanded for prostate cancer and Parkinson's disease due to alleged herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, initially claimed as ischemic heart disease, is granted with an effective date of August 31, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, coronary artery disease (CAD), erectile dysfunction, and skin condition of the legs and feet have all been denied as there is no evidence of service connection due to direct or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a more thorough examination to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status and/or the need for aid and attendance, finding that his service-connected PTSD did not render him incapable of performing daily activities or requiring regular assistance.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and coronary artery disease, to include as due to herbicide exposure. However, the claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to complications from acute myeloid leukemia, pancytopenia multiple myeloma and coronary artery disease. The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion regarding whether his exposure to asbestos during service is related to his cause of death.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, lung cancer, and kidney disability are granted due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim as it pertains to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to cardiovascular issues, including hypertension. The Southern Oaks Health Care Center records and a VA medical opinion are needed.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) as no claim or evidence of unemployability was raised prior to June 30, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disability, including atrial fibrillation, is not related to his service or exposure to herbicides. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral arms and hands, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral legs and feet, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) are stayed due to a stay on Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019.,The Veteran's claim for epididymitis is also stayed as it was previously denied based on lack of evidence of diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the DIC claim and the service connection for cause of death due to lack of evidence regarding the Veteran's total disability rating prior to his death, clarification needed on death certificates, and clarification needed on CAD ratings.