Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, CAD, and xerostomia were reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, the Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for a heart condition due to Agent Orange exposure, finding no evidence of a presumptive connection and noting the Veteran's current conditions do not qualify as ischemic heart disease.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of hypertension, arthritis in all joints, and heart condition due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for coronary artery disease (CAD) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and cause of death (rectal cancer) due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.,The Veteran was not diagnosed with ischemic heart disease during his lifetime, and there is no current disability established.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted for prolapsed hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's CAD disability is currently rated at 60 percent from December 3, 2013. The VA has granted a higher rating for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD claim has been reopened and granted. The CAD claim remains denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected IHD and for scheduling an IHD examination. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability and his claim for service connection for a heart disability. The decision is not clear on whether these claims are about service connection or just about rating adjustments.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or a diagnosis of these conditions within one year after discharge. The Veteran's assertions were not supported by credible evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to additional medical records being added to the Veteran's claims file after the May 2019 Supplemental Statement of the Case. The AOJ needs to review these new records and issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board denied an effective date prior to January 26, 2017 for the grant of a 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease (CAD). The Veteran's claim was re-adjudicated in a final April 2014 decision that considered new and material evidence submitted during the appeal period. There was no factually ascertainable date of increase of CAD to warrant a 60 percent rating within one year prior to January 26, 2017.

The Board denied increased ratings for coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to October 14, 2015 and a rating in excess of 60 percent from October 14, 2015.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, Type II and coronary artery disease were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability and diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not related to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, cardiovascular condition (ischemic heart disease), and tinnitus have been granted. The decision also remanded the claims for service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection for a back disability was granted, and the reduction in his coronary artery disease rating from 60% to 10% was found to be improper.