Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's heart disability is being remanded for additional examination and review of records. The issue of TDIU is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the increased rating claim.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including right and left knee disabilities, heart disability, gallbladder disability, left Achilles tendon disability with bone spurs, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision also requires verification of the Veteran’s dates of active service, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA.

The Board has remanded the cases due to missing service treatment records and the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's heart disorder. The skin/bruising disability is inextricably intertwined with the heart disorder issue.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus due to lack of evidence showing their onset during active service or being related to the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange/herbicides.,The Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and there is no indication that he was exposed to herbicides while serving in Germany.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left and right hip disabilities, heart condition, hypertension, Hepatitis C, residuals of stroke, numbness and claudication in all four extremities. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his genitourinary disability and TDIU claim. The rating for ischemic heart disease remains denied.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for coronary artery disease was granted at a 60 percent rating from June 25, 2010 to November 27, 2011. The evaluation was then reduced to 30 percent from November 29, 2011 to June 11, 2015.

The Board dismissed all the claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction is granted effective from July 22, 2006. The rating of 100% will be in effect until July 25, 2006.

Your claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability has been granted, effective May 5, 2015. The full benefit sought was already provided.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for heart disease, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and diabetes mellitus, type II have been granted. The claim for hypertension is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board found that he has a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service in Vietnam, thus granting service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims due to incomplete verification of his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). The case is returned to the AOJ for further consideration, including obtaining a new VA examination following completion of the verification process.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for a left knee condition, right knee arthritis, diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes), and heart disability as there was insufficient evidence of an in-service incurrence or secondary to his service-connected lumbar spondylosis and discogenic disease.,No new and material evidence has been received to reopen any of the previously denied claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension and a heart condition are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that relates to the basis for the prior denial.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on the evidence showing his disabilities impact his ability to work in physical occupations.

The Veteran's OSA, hypertension, and coronary artery disease are all found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,PTSD is rated at a maximum of 100% since October 16, 2017.

The Veteran's service connection claims for Coronary artery disease (CAD) and diabetes mellitus, type 2 (DM), both claimed as due to herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand, are granted.

The Veteran's service connection for a heart disability is denied. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is granted an initial rating of 70 percent effective September 28, 2015. An earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits is granted as of September 28, 2015. The issue of service connection for alcohol use disability is considered moot.