Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has remanded the case for a medical opinion to determine if the non-ischemic cardiomyopathy contributed to his symptoms and whether the ejection fraction would have been different without this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease/coronary artery disease and hypertension, including as due to herbicide exposure. Additional development is needed, particularly in obtaining medical records from Temple Medical Center and providing additional opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, but remanded to obtain an opinion on the etiology of his heart condition and whether it is aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam is presumed and his current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease (specifically coronary artery disease) is at least in equipoise with the evidence.

The Veteran's lung and heart conditions are remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, bilateral knee disability, headaches, cardiac disease, and memory loss due to insufficient information in the record.,The Veteran's DM is being remanded as there was no consideration of his lifestyle and diet during service or exposure to environmental hazards while serving in Southwest Asia.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is being remanded because the examiner did not consider the February 1993 report indicating degenerative joint disease, nor the Veteran’s history of knee pain since service.,The Veteran's headaches are being remanded due to insufficient consideration of his reported history and March 2015 VA treatment record.,The Veteran's CAD is being remanded as there was no consideration of his lifestyle and diet during service or exposure to environmental hazards while serving in the Persian Gulf War.,The Veteran's memory loss is being remanded due to insufficient consideration of his other diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn appeals for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, except for the TDIU claim which is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and prostate cancer are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The claim for bilateral lower extremity peripheral vascular disease is remanded as the cause of this condition needs further clarification.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, stroke, neuropathy, and heart disease, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment before February 26, 2016, and after November 1, 2019. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for these periods.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His heart disability and tinnitus are currently rated as 60 percent and 10 percent respectively.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder was denied, as he did not meet the DSM criteria. The reduction in his lumbar spine rating from 40% to 20% effective September 3, 2015 was found to be proper due to improvement evidenced by more restricted range of motion and increased radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not provided to support the previously denied conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for coronary heart disease and service connection for bladder cancer are remanded due to the need for additional development, including updated VA treatment records and examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him bedridden or confined to his immediate premises prior to January 25, 2018. The case is remanded for additional development regarding entitlement to special monthly compensation at the aid and attendance rate after January 25, 2018.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right knee disabilities, DM, ischemic heart disease, TBI, and peripheral neuropathy are all denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.,Service connection for DM was not granted because the condition did not manifest within one year after discharge from active duty.

The Board denied service connection for a heart condition and hypertension, finding no evidence of onset during active duty or within one year post-service.,Service connection was not granted on the basis of exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of death and the relationship between service-connected PTSD and the Veteran's tobacco/substance use disorders. The VA examiner is requested to provide an opinion on these issues.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for hypertension is granted. The Board finds that remand is necessary due to new and material evidence received, including a diagnosis of hypertension.

The Veteran's appeals for increased compensation for ischemic heart disease, service connection for bone spur right foot, and service connection for PTSD have been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's heart condition, including its relation to service and exposure to herbicide agents. The claim is being returned for further development.