Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran is granted TDIU from August 20, 2015 to February 7, 2017 due to his service-connected disabilities. The appeal for prior dates was denied.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death.

The Veteran's appeal concerning the issue of entitlement to service connection for a disorder manifested by blood in the urine has been dismissed. The right ankle sprain residuals are rated at 20 percent, and hypertension is granted with secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is currently rated at 60 percent, and the evidence does not show any manifestations that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the lack of clear evidence regarding his exposure to herbicides and possible toxic chemicals on Okinawa. The full text of relevant reports must be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various conditions related to PTSD and herbicide exposure. The Board has remanded these issues due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran is seeking TDIU, but this claim is dismissed as moot since he already receives a 100% disability rating for his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran requires aid and attendance solely because of his service-connected disabilities, as well as whether he is permanently housebound by reason of such disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, ischemic heart disease, and type II diabetes mellitus are all granted as service-connected.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for a back disorder, heart disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to additional medical inquiry and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, ischemic heart disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service.,Service connection is denied for all four conditions as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link between any diagnosed condition and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, posttraumatic stress disorder, Parkinson's Disease, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. As such, the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The appeal is dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no longer has jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for service-connected ischemic heart disease status post myocardial infarction was increased from 10% to 30%, but the issue remains in appellate status due to a remand. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the current severity and manifestations of his condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability and an acquired psychiatric disability due to lack of evidence regarding exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's heart disability is related to his service, but the issue will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened and granted. The Board also remanded several other issues including heart disorder, erectile dysfunction, skin rash of the face, arms, and feet, unspecified brain disorder, and prostate disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and its impact on his ability to work.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to alcohol dependence, which was secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran died from metastatic gastric cancer.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease is denied. The Board finds that the Veteran's July 13, 1988 claim was not covered by the provisions of VA regulations due to his failure to file a timely appeal within one year of his discharge from service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the appellant's claim regarding the cause of her husband's death and a pending increased rating appeal for his back disability. The VA is instructed to provide an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran’s pain from service-connected disabilities contributed to or aggravated his high blood pressure, which in turn caused his death.