Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and prostate cancer are granted due to herbicide agent exposure. However, the initial rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and rating determinations on multiple issues, including service connection for heart disorder, increased ratings for right knee degenerative joint disease, limited and painful motion of the right knee, impairment of the right thigh, and limitation of flexion of the right thigh.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for service-connected coronary artery disease from October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014 and in excess of 60 percent thereafter is being remanded due to missing medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, all secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2. The new evidence submitted did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and earlier effective date for service connection for coronary artery disease was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of the assigned percentages.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, ischemic heart disease, stroke residuals, bilateral eye condition, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PVD, finding that it was not incurred or caused by active duty service and was not related to his IHD.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to incomplete records and missing opinions.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's claimed heart condition, as there may be a current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease or related conditions. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and prostate cancer, both claimed as resulting from herbicide agent exposure. The Board found no objective evidence of herbicide agent use or exposure on Guam during active service.

The Veteran's claim for eligibility for a grant of specially adapted housing or special home adaptation is remanded. The Board also refers the Veteran’s claims for service connection for Parkinson’s disease and ischemic heart disease to the agency of original jurisdiction.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are granted. The appeal as to PTSD is dismissed. An additional remand is ordered for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Veteran is denied entitlement to an effective date earlier than March 8, 2016 for the assignment of a 100 percent disability rating for hypertensive heart disease with ischemic heart disease.,The Veteran is denied entitlement to an effective date earlier than March 10, 2016 for the assignment of a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder.,The Veteran is denied entitlement to an effective date earlier than March 8, 2016 for the assignment of a 30 percent disability rating for balance impairment and shuffling gait as a residual of Parkinson's disease.,Service connection for dysphagia, as a residual of Parkinson's disease, was granted with an effective date of December 18, 2012.,The Veteran is denied entitlement to an effective date earlier than March 8, 2016 for service connection for chronic constipation, as a residual of Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the cause of death (sepsis due to bowel perforation) was not a result of VA medical treatment. The Board found that there was no evidence of negligence or fault on the part of VA in providing care.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability manifested by chest pains, including as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence of chronicity and continuity of symptomatology following separation from service or that CAD manifested within one year of separation.

The Veteran's death is due to his service-connected coronary artery disease, and burial benefits are granted at the service-connected rate.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee and shoulder disorders, CAD, and OSA due to new evidence received since final denial of these claims. The Veteran's symptoms have been noted in service records.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's heart disorders, including coronary artery disease and ventricular arrhythmia, based on continuous symptoms since service separation. The decision is based on presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b).

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not service-connected as it is not related to his service or PTSD.,The Veteran's valvular heart disease is not service-connected due to exposure of herbicide agents and diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes).,There is no evidence of peripheral neuropathy, bilateral feet in the record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD has been granted. The initial rating for Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) prior to February 20, 2014 is also granted.,Service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea remains pending as a new medical opinion is needed due to the lack of specific analysis regarding its relationship to service-connected conditions and presumed herbicide exposure.