Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected focal glomerulitis, hematuria, and hypertension are being remanded for further evaluation due to the progression of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his heart disease is being remanded due to the need for clarification of the most accurate test to evaluate his service-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for ischemic heart disease and his claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to a lack of recent VA examination records. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and further analysis of his exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the RO to issue a Statement of the Case regarding his claims for a noninitial disability rating in excess of 60 percent for service-connected coronary artery disease and entitlement to service connection for deep vein thrombosis in both legs (claimed as varicose veins and blood clots).,The Veteran's appeal is also remanded for further action on the issues of service connection for atrial fibrillation, which are not addressed in this decision.

The appeals for service connection of coronary artery disease, colon cancer, and anxiety and depression are dismissed. The appeal for the cause of death is remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a heart disability was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. His hypertension claim, however, was granted as new and material evidence has been received.,The Veteran's PFB, sleep apnea, and TDIU claims are remanded as the Board finds that VA examinations are needed to determine their etiology.

Service connection for hyperlipidemia, headaches, hyperthyroidism, depression, Peyronie's disease, colon polyps, West Nile virus, tinea, GERD, intestinal disorder (to include IBS and chronic diarrhea), back condition, hypothyroidism, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction is denied.,Service connection for PTSD was awarded on February 13, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to January 12, 2017 was denied. A rating of 60 percent for CAD from January 12, 2017 is granted and the case is remanded for further development regarding cervical spine disability and vestibular disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, ischemic heart disease (IHD), nephrosclerosis, and headaches due to a failure to report for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to determine the severity of the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation prior to January 1, 2017.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling for extension, effective July 27, 2017. The Board has found no basis to grant a higher evaluation based on limitation of motion at any point during the appeal period.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and heart disease are remanded due to conflicting opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound criteria are denied as they were not filed until April 13, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for heart condition and sleep apnea, with a focus on whether the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service-connected sinusitis.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD has been dismissed as the maximum benefits have already been granted. The issue of service connection for coronary artery disease with myocardial infarct is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes, heart condition, peripheral neuropathy, psychiatric disability, and hearing loss has been granted.,Service connection is established for diabetes mellitus due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during military service.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease as there is no current diagnosis of the condition and the Veteran's chest pain does not constitute a disability.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease is rated at a 60 percent disability level, effective from January 28, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange in Okinawa, Japan. The RO is required to undertake additional searches with JSRRC and the U.S. Army for information corroborating the Veteran’s claimed exposure.