Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU based on his service-connected coronary artery disease is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, particularly the residuals of cerebrovascular accident, has been established. As a result, he is entitled to SMC at the maximum rate.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation have been granted a rating of 100 percent effective from January 12, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease is denied as there was no prior communication or medical record indicating a formal or informal claim before August 31, 2010. The earliest possible effective date is August 31, 2010 when the law added ischemic heart disease to the list of presumptively associated with herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's cause of death, ischemic heart disease and bacterial endocarditis, is not related to his period of service or exposure to herbicides. The Board found no evidence linking the terminal conditions to service.

The Veteran's death was attributed to acidosis due to or as a consequence of tricuspid regurgitation, renal failure, and heart failure. The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation regarding service connection for ischemic heart disease claimed as due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease, status post bypass graft, with a 100% rating for three months following hospital admission is denied. The Board found that the earliest date entitlement arose was February 2, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for hypercholesterolemia, coronary artery disease, disability manifested by poor circulation, and a stroke and its residuals as there was no evidence of these conditions during active service or that they were related to service.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure and insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between his current conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The appeals for service connection of right leg amputation, ischemic heart disease, and atrial fibrillation have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent for ischemic heart disease is denied as the evidence does not show entitlement to a higher rating.

The Veteran's heart disability, which includes strokes secondary to his service-connected coronary artery bypass graft, is rated at 60 percent since January 1, 2017. The rating is denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and reduction of disability ratings for PTSD and Ischemic Heart Condition are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting new examinations. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also inextricably intertwined with these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation higher than 60 percent for ischemic heart disease is denied.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded for additional examination to determine the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and heart disease, but finds that further development is needed as new evidence received since the December 2009 rating decision relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development regarding his claims of service connection and increased ratings for bronchitis, pneumonia, malaria disability, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus. The VA will obtain private medical records from prior to 2009 and conduct new examinations to determine the severity of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for various disabilities, a reduction of the rating for prostate cancer residuals, and TDIU. The Veteran's claims are pending and need further investigation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The claim for service connection for heart condition is denied.