Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's heart disability does not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but his symptoms may have increased in severity. The case is remanded to determine if he should be assigned a higher rating and whether he qualifies for an extraschedular TDIU.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a chronic respiratory disability, asbestosis. The cardiovascular disability claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation for coronary artery disease was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 13, 2013.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a heart disorder was denied. The evidence received since the May 2013 rating decision is not new and material.,Service connection for a respiratory condition and hypertension were denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran is granted an initial disability rating of 60 percent for coronary artery disease from December 21, 2005, to March 1, 2006.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for the period from March 2, 2006, to August 24, 2008, is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for the period from August 25, 2008, to October 14, 2013, from February 1, 2014, to May 24, 2017, and from September 1, 2017, to May 17, 2018, is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for the period from August 10, 2015, to October 25, 2015, is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, post-phlebitic syndrome (left leg), kidney disability, skin cancer, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for coronary artery disease. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives, specifically regarding the identification of when any change in degree of impairment first occurred for the Veteran's heart disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiac disability, including valvular heart disease. The evidence did not show a current diagnosis of a cardiac disability and all tests conducted were normal.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional information regarding his employment history and education.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional records and verification of his deployment to Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen service connection for a right knee disability was granted. The appeal to reopen service connection for ischemic heart disease was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and lumbar spine disability, prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions caused or contributed to his death. The VA must provide addendum opinions addressing these issues.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Thailand.

The Board denied service connection for CTS of the right and left wrists, as well as an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for CAD prior to January 8, 2015, and in excess of 30 percent since that date. The decision also found no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and increased ratings related to bronchiectasis with bronchiolitis, COPD, asbestosis, coronary artery disease, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and bowel disorder. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, asthma, heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, lumbar spine disability with associated radiculopathy, right shoulder disability, bilateral ocular disability (claimed as an eye condition), chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and prostate disability.,The Veteran's service records do not show any complaints or diagnoses of these conditions during his military service. The VA audiology examination in March 2016 found normal hearing for both ears.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for coronary artery disease (CAD) because the preponderance of evidence does not show that the Veteran's CAD was caused by, or worsened by, VA treatment in October 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and the need for additional medical examination.