Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board has decided that the claims for sarcoidosis, heart disability, and hypertension need more information from Social Security Administration (SSA) records before a decision can be made.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the remaining issues on appeal, including service connection for coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure.

The Board dismissed the appeal for hypertension. The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, loss of taste, and heart disability was reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection for PTSD is granted, but no service connection is found for loss of taste or heart disability.

The Veteran's special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected arteriosclerosis with coronary artery disease is granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for accrued benefits in excess of $245.00 due to insufficient evidence provided regarding additional expenses incurred during the Veteran's last sickness and burial.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for high blood pressure, heart disability associated with herbicide exposure, and PTSD have been remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The rating for PTSD remains unchanged.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cause of death and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under 38 USC § 1318. The cause of death was atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, which the Board found not related to any period of active duty or National Guard service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination closer to his home.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to lack of evidence linking coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral vascular disease to active service.

The Veteran's initial and subsequent ratings for coronary artery disease (CAD) status post coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) are being remanded due to new symptoms reported since the last examination in October 2013.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease associated with herbicide exposure is remanded due to the lack of recent medical evidence and the Veteran's assertion of worsening symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bone cancer, prostate cancer, and heart disease due to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran served at Dover Air Force Base where he allegedly handled Agent Orange.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not granted and have been remanded for further action.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease was denied prior to September 8, 2018. However, starting from September 8, 2018, the Veteran was granted a 100% disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD) had its onset during his period of service and is related to it, thus granting service connection for CAD.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent since April 15, 2014.,DM II with erectile dysfunction and proteinuria is rated at 20 percent. The Veteran has been granted a TDIU from January 14, 2013.,CAD status post myocardial infarction remains at 60 percent.,Coronary artery bypass graft does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease is denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or limitation of motion to 30 degrees.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, ischemic heart disease (IHD), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension, as these conditions may be related to his in-service exposure to pesticides, insecticides, and commercial herbicides.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to service-connected conditions, and the Board found that his congestive heart failure was not caused by or aggravated by service. The VA examiner's post-mortem analysis concluded that the cause of death was less likely than not incurred in or by an in-service injury, event or illness.