Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder and TDIU, finding no evidence of a diagnosed disability during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart condition, prostate cancer, and type II diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure. The remand is needed to obtain medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to herbicide exposure or not.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was denied as the evidence did not show METs measured at less than 3 or left ventricle ejection fraction less than 30 percent. The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating from August 18, 2011 to May 13, 2019 was also denied because there is no medical evidence showing more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year or a workload of greater than 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope. The Veteran's current rating of 100 percent for coronary artery disease was granted effective May 14, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease associated with herbicide exposure was denied. The Board found that the earliest claim reasonably construed as a request for service connection for heart disease was received in April 2000, and the effective date for the grant of service connection is set at November 20, 2000.

The Board has decided that the effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease should be earlier than November 18, 2010 and remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding when the Veteran's ischemic heart disease was first manifest.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and evaluations are necessary to properly assess the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and other issues. The case is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding the nature of his hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as the current severity of his coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, and a kidney condition as secondary to prostate cancer are all granted due to herbicide agent exposure during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II are all granted due to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for coronary artery disease, and found that new and material evidence had not been received. The claims for tuberculosis, diabetes mellitus type 2, respiratory issues, left knee degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss, postoperative residuals of left shoulder dislocation, hiatal hernia with history of esophagitis and esophageal polyp were all denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability and bilateral hip disability, finding that there was no evidence of a present disability other than congenital defects. The Board also found that any current hip disability is not related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease with ischemia was granted an initial rating of 60 percent. The other issues were either denied or remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient records of treatment at ABCMC from November 29 to December 4, 2017. The Veteran's condition and transfer status need further clarification.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cause of death and coronary artery disease, as secondary to frostbite residuals. The case is being returned for further development including obtaining expert opinions from a cardiologist and an oncologist.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for CAD and TDIU need to be remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA will obtain updated medical records, schedule an examination, and consider the Veteran's employment situation.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, and aortic aneurysm as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were related to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a failure to ensure that the duty to assist was satisfied.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease has rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal for high cholesterol and hepatitis C was granted. The cases of digestive problems, stage 4 cirrhosis of the liver with weight loss (related to hepatitis C), heart disease, hypertension, fatigue, renal complications, and chronic depression are remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and SSA disability benefits information.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in a previous VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's nonischemic heart disease, AICD, and status post myocardial infarction are caused by Agent Orange exposure. The examiner must provide an addendum opinion addressing this issue.