Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including arthritis, diabetes mellitus, degenerative disc disease, gall bladder removal, colon cancer, kidney disability, heart disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The cases are being referred back for further examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a heart disorder has been reopened. The case is being remanded to consider additional evidence and obtain an opinion on the nature and etiology of his heart disorders, including whether they are caused or aggravated by PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to his failure to appear for a scheduled DRO hearing. The Veteran will be given another opportunity to present his case at a rescheduled hearing.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to new and material evidence. However, the case is remanded as an addendum opinion is needed regarding whether the service-connected prostatitis contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's prostate cancer and death.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Peripheral Neuropathy, but remanded the claim for Ischemic Heart Disease due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection is not granted for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, rated at 60% prior to March 27, 2018, and now rated at 100%, is granted effective from that date. Additionally, the Veteran is granted a special monthly compensation rate since March 27, 2018.

Service connection is granted for shin splints, right shoulder disability, and bilateral ankle disabilities.,Service connection is granted for esophageal diverticulum, dumping syndrome, pancreatitis, anemia, syncope, heart condition, hypertension, back condition, asthma, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has been denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.,Service connection is granted for headaches.

The Board denied a retroactive CRDP compensation payment in excess of $2,091.15 for periods from May 1, 2017 through January 31, 2018 and from May 1, 2018 through May 31, 2018 due to the prohibition on concurrent payments of military retired pay and VA disability compensation pay without a waiver of a portion of the retired pay.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of information needed to verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, which is required for service connection under the presumptive provisions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was denied because the increase in disability did not occur before December 29, 2015. The effective date is set at December 29, 2015.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection. The claims for prostate cancer and coronary artery disease (claimed as heart condition) due to radiation exposure are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person due to his mobility issues caused by his heart disease, knee replacements, and back disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's heart disability is related to his service. The VA will obtain additional records and schedule a new examination for an opinion on this issue.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals, trimalleolar fracture left ankle; an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) with coronary artery bypass grafting associated with herbicide exposure; and entitlement to an effective date earlier than August 27, 2015, for the grant of service connection for CAD. The Board has also determined that a TDIU issue must be remanded.

The Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease and Chiari network were denied as there was no current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease, and the Chiari network was not considered a disability due to service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss received an initial 100% rating effective January 24, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for coronary artery disease has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and a lumbar spine disorder are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, renal insufficiency, arteriosclerotic heart disease, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy contributed substantially or materially to his death from sepsis due to bowel necrosis and severe abdominal adhesions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, coronary artery disease, and prostate cancer has been dismissed. The issue of service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder is dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing from appellate status prior to a decision being made.