Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board has dismissed the DIC claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to lack of a timely Substantive Appeal. The DIC claim on service connection for the cause of death is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the pending claims for ischemic heart disease and lung cancer.

The Board has dismissed all the issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions, as well as the request for an effective date prior to March 12, 2012. The appellant requested withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service exposure, and the Board grants service connection.,The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed due to his Vietnam-era service, and the Board grants service connection.,There is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran has bilateral hearing loss or its etiology.,The claim for erectile dysfunction is remanded as it may be related to ischemic heart disease.,The Veteran's nervous tremors are remanded due to lack of clarity in the medical records and need for further examination.,The Veteran's neuropathy of the lower extremities is remanded for a determination on its etiology, including potential connection to service exposure.,The Veteran's memory loss is remanded as it needs clarification regarding its relationship to service.

The appeal for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is dismissed.,The appeals for service connection for ischemic heart disease and hepatitis C are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran served at or near the perimeter of RTAFB Nakhon Phanom, which is associated with herbicide exposure. As a result, the Veteran's ischemic heart disease is considered to be service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, diagnosed as coronary artery disease, is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam-era service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence. The cases will be further evaluated by VA examiners.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's heart condition and whether it was related to service or any of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of his claims as they are now moot.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for ischemic heart disease and coronary artery disease with residuals of coronary artery bypass graft surgery is denied.,The Veteran's initial increased rating for type 2 diabetes mellitus is denied.,The Veteran's effective date for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus is denied.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to the lack of an adequate substantive appeal.,A new and material evidence request for service connection of headaches was granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including determining if the appellant is a proper substitute claimant and obtaining additional evidence. The TDIU claim will be adjudicated again after these actions.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for ischemic heart disease, and service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) has been rated at 100% since the beginning of the appeal period, and he is granted an initial rating of 100% for CAD. The claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is dismissed as moot because his current rating already meets this requirement.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including PTSD and heart condition. The hearing transcript is associated with the claims file, and a VA examination for psychiatric conditions is needed. Additional development of records from Dr. Steehler and AFOSI search on the named NCO TSgt are required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and aortic valve replacement, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU. However, the case is remanded for an additional VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his aortic valve disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, heart condition, PTSD, and TDIU due to a failure to ensure that all outstanding VA treatment records are associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes. The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy claim is denied due to lack of evidence. CAD, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy claims are remanded for further evaluation. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is granted.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to April 7, 2014, and in excess of 60 percent from April 7, 2014, to April 23, 2018, for coronary artery disease (CAD). The Veteran's CAD was characterized by left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction between 30-50%, without congestive heart failure or the residuals thereof.