Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance due to service-connected CAD is granted, as his symptoms are fully contemplated by the current 100% evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death due to PTSD and/or a heart condition, finding that neither contributed substantially or materially to his death from a motorcycle accident. The July 2019 VA examiner concluded it was less likely than not that the Veteran’s PTSD caused or contributed to his death, nor did he have a heart condition related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. Service connection was not granted for hypertension, high cholesterol, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia, or ischemic heart disease. The rating for ischemic heart disease was also denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's heart disorder. The issues of service connection for his right shoulder, neck, and bilateral knee disorders are also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for ischemic heart disease, acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction have been granted. The appeal for headaches has also been granted. However, the appeals for right upper extremity neurological disability, left lower neurological disability (other than sciatica), and right lower extremity neurological disability are being remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated as noncompensable, and he is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and vocational experience.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted based on new evidence submitted after the May 2008 denial.,Service connection for OSA and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their onset in service.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent from July 8, 2009 to March 26, 2012, and in excess of 50 percent as of March 27, 2012, for anxiety disorder NOS is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the severity of his condition.,Service connection for a heart condition is remanded due to its potential impact on the hypertension claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected coronary artery disease was denied because the evidence did not show that his condition worsened to a severity warranting a 60% disability rating until October 29, 2015. The effective date of the award is March 31, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for ischemic heart disease is remanded. The case also includes a TDIU claim, which is on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is caused or aggravated by his service-connected heart disease, and if it was exposed to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disorder is denied as less likely related to service.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted due to presumed exposure during Vietnam era.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted based on in-service noise exposure and current symptoms.,The Veteran's back, knee, and ankle disorders are remanded for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disability did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to service.,The Veteran's ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II are each claimed as due to herbicide exposure, specifically from Weslaco, TX in 1971.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease with coronary artery bypass graft residuals and myocardial infarction, and Parkinson’s disease are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service at Nakhon Phanom and Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Bases.,Issues of rating increases and compensation for unemployability or aid and attendance remain pending.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is being remanded for further review due to potential exposure to Agent Orange during his service aboard the USS Coral Sea CV 43.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU since June 3, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused him to be in need of personal assistance from others, and the Board has determined that he qualifies for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether any current heart disability, including coronary artery disease and high cholesterol, is related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for COPD and CAD were denied. The VA determined that the evidence did not support a higher rating for COPD prior to January 25, 2016, or for CAD.