Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease was denied as there was no clear and unmistakable error in the July 2011 rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for neutropenia is being remanded as there may be a worsening of his condition since the last examination in July 2012.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for a right hand scar is being remanded as there may be a worsening of his condition since the last examination in July 2012.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's heart condition is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that his condition was stable and did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for ischemic heart disease and his TDIU claim due to pending development.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to a lack of evidence linking his death to active service.,Non-service-connected death pension benefits were also remanded as there was insufficient information provided.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death, finding that no service-connected disability caused or contributed substantially to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim for service connection due to Agent Orange exposure was granted. The claims for sinus condition, sleep apnea, heart condition, and respiratory condition were denied. The rating for bilateral pes planus was increased to 50 percent.,Service connection for the skin condition due to Agent Orange exposure is granted. Service connection for a sinus condition, sleep apnea, heart condition, and respiratory condition are denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities, including a right shoulder disability, bilateral elbow and hip/knee disabilities, hearing loss, tinnitus, and dyslipidemia. The Veteran's previously denied claims for coronary artery disease and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been reopened.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of his claimed conditions, particularly those related to herbicide exposure. The Board finds that more information is needed before a decision can be made.

The Veteran's service-connected arteriosclerotic heart disease and posttraumatic stress disorder render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for ischemic heart disease was denied prior to January 20, 2016.,A higher initial rating of 60 percent for ischemic heart disease from January 20, 2016, was granted.

The Veteran's heart disease is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to Agent Orange, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's CAD is rated at 30 percent effective May 24, 2018. The Veteran also receives a TDIU based on his PTSD.

The Veteran did not have a service-connected disability rated as totally disabling at the time of his death, so he is not eligible for special monthly compensation based on housebound status.

The appeals for service connection for the cause of death and heart condition have been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart condition, skin condition, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and depression. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents is unclear, and further development is needed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the initial compensable rating prior to June 7, 2017 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's heart disease, tumor on skull, tumors on the pancreas, lost spleen, and thyroid cancer are all granted service connection due to herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of maintaining substantially gainful employment, as he has maintained stable work histories and does not have severe impairment from his conditions.