Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is related to the service-connected hypertension, and his high cholesterol does not qualify as a disability for VA purposes. His tinnitus was present for more than one year after separation from service and is not linked to service. The GERD diagnosed in 2000 is not related to service.

The Veteran's heart disability, lung cancer, and small cell lung cancer are all being remanded for further development. The Appellant is seeking earlier effective dates for service connection and SMC.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted. The Board has remanded the cases for bilateral hearing loss, heart disability (including atrial fibrillation), hypertension, and skin disability.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating prior to August 22, 2016 for bilateral hearing loss and denied his claim for a compensable rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 30, 2019 and a rating in excess of 60 percent thereafter for coronary artery disease.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for coronary artery disease due to insufficient development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for COPD has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board is remanding this issue for further development.,Service connection for IHD was denied as there is no evidence that it began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU benefits. The need for SMC based on aid and attendance is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's fatal endocarditis was caused by his presumed Agent Orange exposure and if he had ischemic heart disease, which is associated with Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's cause of death, cardiopulmonary arrest secondary to extension of mitral infarction due to or as a consequence of myocardial infarction, atherosclerotic vascular disease, and hyperlipidemia, is found to be service-connected based on exposure to Agent Orange during his time in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for mitral valve prolapse (also claimed as ischemic heart disease) is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right carotid artery disease is secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were dismissed due to his death. The CAD rating was increased, but only prior to July 23, 2014.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is being remanded for further development, including an examination to determine the current severity of his disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertensive heart disease is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his history of myocardial infarction and Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, and diabetes mellitus, type II due to exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune. The case requires further medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to his death by causing or aggravating congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease listed on his death certificate. The VA examiner is required to provide a rationale for their opinions, including consideration of long-term effects from 1944 (stressor event) to 2013 (Veteran's death).

The Veteran's claim for hypertension was reopened and granted.,Obstructive sleep apnea is found to be secondary to major depressive disorder.,Service connection for cataracts, left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, chronic right hip strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all granted with effective dates of February 28, 2013.,Coronary artery disease is granted with an effective date of January 28, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of herbicide agent exposure in Thailand and insufficient medical nexus to establish a direct relationship with service.

The Veteran's vertigo, claimed as dizzy spells, is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his military service.,Ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer are not service-connected because there is no evidence that they were incurred during or aggravated by service. The Veteran worked in Vietnam but was not exposed to herbicides.,Prostate cancer is also not service-connected as it did not have its onset in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy, render him unemployable due to their severity.