Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, psoriasis of both hands, bilateral lower extremity nerve condition, and heart disease is reopened. The claims are remanded due to the need for further development regarding exposure to toxic chemicals during military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for coronary artery disease is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a review based on new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a higher rating for coronary artery disease due to inadequate examination findings, insufficient consideration of new evidence, and lack of private treatment records. The Veteran is also asked to provide information about any private treatment he may have received.

The appeal for severance of service connection for diabetic nephropathy with renal insufficiency is granted. The Veteran's initial evaluation for ischemic heart disease is increased to 10 percent, effective June 14, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected chronic adjustment disorder, also claimed as PTSD, is denied.,The effective date for the grant of a 100 percent rating for ischemic heart disease needs to be determined based on additional records from private treatment during the period on appeal.,The Veteran’s TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities requires further development and consideration.

Service connection granted for right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, OSA, hypertension, heart condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder. Other issues are either denied or remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Thailand and therefore, his ischemic heart disease is presumed to be related to this exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for heart disability, GERD, and sleep apnea due to inadequate examinations and a need for further medical evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a heart disorder and diabetes mellitus due to radiation exposure during service. The Veteran's private medical records from Dr. Stewart and Dr. Linley need to be obtained.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for heart condition, diabetes mellitus, lung cancer, Parkinson's disease (essential tremors), and skin cancer. The evidence is insufficient to establish exposure to Agent Orange or asbestos during active service, thus preventing service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary atherosclerotic heart disease is granted, with an effective date of August 17, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Thailand, which could affect his claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disease, stroke residuals, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities due to their relationship with the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The claims for ischemic heart disease and hypertension are remanded as the evidence does not clearly show current diagnoses.

The Veteran's cause of death and burial benefits claims are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding substitution as the appellant is seeking to continue his pending service connection claims.

The Veteran's initial higher ratings for service-connected prostate cancer treatment residuals, non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy associated with DM, HTN and ED, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic dermopathy, left lower extremity PN, right lower extremity PN, scars, status post coronary artery bypass graft surgery, prostatectomy and bilateral AKAs, and erectile dysfunction have been denied.,The Veteran's initial compensable rating for service-connected scars has also been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to December 7, 2017 for the grant of service connection for arrhythmia was denied.,A rating of 30 percent for service-connected supraventricular arrhythmia is granted.,The Veteran’s claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) was denied. The current rating of 30 percent is affirmed.,The Veteran's request for total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral ankle condition, headaches, diabetes mellitus type II, sleep disorders, heart condition, jaw condition, and several neurological conditions. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD) was granted service connection.

The Veteran's CAD was granted a 100% rating from April 1, 2013 to September 12, 2014. After that date, the Veteran is rated at a 60% for his CAD.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70% rating from July 22, 2014. The VA has determined that the Veteran's CAD and DM do not warrant ratings higher than 60% and 20%, respectively, but have granted earlier effective dates for these ratings.