Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II due to potential exposure to herbicides during service on Guam.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the ratings for coronary artery disease and left arm scarring before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claims for heart disorder, right hand disorder, and left hand disorder were denied. Service connection was granted for irritable bowel syndrome as a qualifying chronic disability due to undiagnosed illness.

The Board has denied service connection for heart disability and residuals of a fractured sternum, but has remanded the issue of service connection for residuals of a left knee disability due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to the need for VA examinations and obtaining additional medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and further investigation is needed to determine if ischemic heart disease existed at the time of death, its relationship to service or any event, injury, or disease during service, and whether PTSD caused or contributed to the fatal motor vehicle accident.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to asbestos and potential service connection for respiratory condition, as well as further development of his heart disease, DM II, HTN, gout, and chronic low back pain.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease and whether he meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The issue of service connection for aortic valve stenosis status post-aortic valve replacement is remanded.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was rated at 100 percent for the period from March 2, 2017 to August 6, 2018. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is moot as he has other service-connected disabilities independently ratable as 60 percent or more during this period. SMC at housebound rate was granted for the same period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, respiratory disability (to include COPD and asthma), and ischemic heart disease have been reopened. The effective date of the grant of service connection for tinnitus is set to December 5, 2019.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD has been granted with a rating of 70 percent effective from June 26, 2007.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand and concluding that the Veteran's condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for scalp scars was denied. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for left shoulder disability and heart condition, to include trivial mitral regurgitation (MR), as well as an increased rating for lumbar strain.,Service connection for a left shoulder disability and heart condition are being remanded due to inadequate development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied as he failed to report for VA examinations scheduled in conjunction with his claims.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease has been granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his active military service. The other two issues related to peripheral neuropathy have also been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and heart disability due to potential issues with the July 2016 VA medical opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, either directly or as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient information regarding his periods of active duty and inactive duty training. The claims are also inextricably intertwined with the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for IBS, mild epididymitis and left hydrocele, and heart condition. The case will be referred to VA Compensation and Pension Service for consideration of extraschedular evaluations. A new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cardiac disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were withdrawn. The claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence supporting the diagnoses.

The Board has decided that the reduction of the evaluation for service-connected coronary artery disease from 60 percent to 10 percent, effective July 1, 2018, was improper and has ordered a remand for further development.