Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than February 6, 2014, for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease is granted. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating. The claims for service connection for colon disorder and chronic psychiatric disorder are remanded due to incomplete information.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence, including a medical opinion from his VA primary care doctor regarding the need for an electric scooter. The VAMC should also obtain any missing treatment records and ensure all relevant guidelines are provided to Dr. T.H.Y.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a sinus disability, sleep disability, and heart disability due to potential issues with the evidence considered in previous decisions. The Veteran's attorney withdrew appeals for COPD and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to consider the Veteran's TDIU claim prior to February 25, 2015. The AOJ will request private treatment records and review whether referral for extraschedular consideration is warranted.

The Veteran's death was not caused by or contributed to by service or a service-connected disability, including exposure to herbicide agents. The cause of death (cardiac arrest due to esophageal cancer) is not related to service and there is no secondary connection to a service-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient discussion of all diagnosed heart conditions and conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran's attorney argues that the VA examiner’s reliance on the inaccurate assumptions regarding the Veteran's tobacco use history for support of the negative nexus opinion renders it inadequate.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, status post multiple angioplasties, is rated at a 100 percent since October 11, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding his service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied. The RO granted service connection for PTSD on February 9, 2018.,The Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction were both rated as noncompensable under their respective diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sarcoidosis, cervical spine disorder, and various other conditions have been reopened. The Board finds that the evidence supports a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining medical opinions related to the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension, as well as the claim for TDIU. The Veteran's representative provided additional medical evidence in support of his hypertension claim, which was not considered by the RO. A new VA opinion is needed to address whether the Veteran's hypertension is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes and/or CAD.

The Veteran's service-connected chest scar is granted a 10 percent rating, but no higher. The ratings for type II diabetes mellitus and CAD are remanded due to lack of recent VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability and hypertension due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology. The claims are now pending for further review.

The Veteran's heart condition is currently rated at 60 percent, and a higher rating or TDIU are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The respiratory condition, lumbar spine condition, right leg condition, heart disease, erectile dysfunction, and headaches are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass graft is being remanded due to the instability of his condition, which prevented VA from scheduling an examination. The Board orders another attempt to obtain updated treatment records and schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective April 15, 2015 due to his service-connected coronary artery disease and tinnitus. The decision also indicates that the Veteran's employment background was as a mechanic, limiting his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The claim for service connection for coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure was reopened due to new evidence provided by the Veteran, but the issues of sleep apnea and TDIU are still pending.

The Board has determined that additional examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected diabetes has aggravated his peripheral neuropathies in all extremities, and to address whether there are any other issues related to these conditions. The claims for service connection will be remanded for further development.