Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's initial rating for heart disability was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and erectile dysfunction, were found to be insufficient to warrant a TDIU prior to October 12, 2016.

The Veteran's cervical spine, right shoulder, lumbar spine, right elbow, right knee, skin, and hemorrhoids disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity. The Veteran's sinusitis claim is also being remanded as the VA examiner did not provide a clear opinion regarding whether his condition had its onset in service or was otherwise etiologically related to active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, ischemic heart disease, and diabetes mellitus, type II due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's skin cancer claim remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence suggesting the Veteran may have ischemic heart disease, and a VA examination is needed to determine if this condition is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease based on a presumption of exposure to herbicide agents due to the Veteran's duties at U-Tapao Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Veteran's service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, posttraumatic stress disorder, and diabetes mellitus is granted. The increased rating claims for PTSD and diabetes mellitus are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension, but denied service connection for high cholesterol.

The Veteran's cause of death, ischemic heart disease, is presumed to be associated with his confirmed herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam. As such, the Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart condition and low back condition, as well as the TDIU claim. Additional medical opinions are needed to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The claims for diabetes, neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, heart disability, hypertension, thyroid disability, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a tonsillectomy, respiratory disability, and heart disability. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for Ischemic heart disease and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, both claimed as due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran was not exposed to herbicides during his service in Korea between 1968 and 1969.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The decision did not address service connection issues.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as natural causes. The Board found that his service-connected PTSD did not contribute substantially or materially to his death, and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, which include musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. The Board grants special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions. The Veteran's Parkinson’s disease, hypertension, heart disorder, arthritis, and esophagus disorder are being reviewed again to determine if they are related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was granted a 60 percent rating from March 2, 2010 to May 21, 2012. From May 22, 2012 to November 3, 2017, the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent. The Veteran's coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus were both granted increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to outstanding VA and Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for ischemic heart disease is being remanded due to the need for a proper METs level assessment. The TDIU claim has also been added to the appeal and requires additional development, including VCAA notice and completion of VA Form 21-8940.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.