Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is not presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, and his other conditions are not service-connected.

The Veteran's IHD is rated at 60 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened, and he is granted secondary service connection. His tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines. The Veteran's CAD with stable angina is rated as 10 percent disabling since July 1, 2014. He is granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD with depressive symptoms. His bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable initial rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic coronary artery disease is granted as it was presumed to be caused by herbicide exposure. The issues of hypertension, kidney disability, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral upper and lower extremity neurological disabilities are remanded due to the need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability to include recurring PVCs has been reopened, but the Board finds that further development is needed as there are insufficient current medical records to determine if he currently has a heart disability related to his service. Other claims have also been remanded due to need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted due to exposure to Agent Orange during his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder, finding that there was no medical evidence linking the two conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as service connected.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) is denied, with a rating of 60% from May 30, 2018.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for thyroid condition, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease have been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and treatment records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for respiratory disability, seizure disability, heart disability, and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for diabetes mellitus. The appeal as to the reopening of an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not supported by the evidence and have been denied. The appeals for erectile dysfunction, bilateral hand disorder, bilateral pes planus, and heart disorder are all remanded to allow for further development.

New and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim of service connection for coronary artery disease, variously claimed as heart condition has been received.,New and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim of service connection for a cerebrovascular disability, variously claimed as stroke has been received.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of ischemic heart disease was denied as there is no basis to award such a date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and for a temporary total evaluation based on convalescence following a heart surgery, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between his heart disorder and his military service or service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as Other Specified Stressor and Trauma Related Disorder, is granted with an effective date of August 27, 2013. However, his request for earlier effective dates are denied.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted with a 60% disability rating effective January 29, 2014. His request for an earlier effective date is also denied.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities were rated as 100 percent effective November 29, 2004. The appellant seeks DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 and service connection for cause of death due to PTSD. The Board finds the claims are inextricably intertwined and remands for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for medical opinions regarding service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the aid and attendance of another individual, warranting special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death, including those for increased ratings and service connection.