Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board denied reopening of previously denied claims for heart condition, PTSD, and sleep apnea/sleeping disorder. The Veteran's claims were not supported by new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's heart condition, including hypertension. The issue of service connection is being addressed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings were denied. The reduction of the right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy rating was not proper, and a restoration to a 20% rating is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and a statement of the case regarding his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, shell fragment wounds to the left upper arm, ankle and foot with retained foreign body, and forearm. The issue of entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot due to the Veteran's receipt of a 100% disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of ischemic heart disease has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by VA carelessness, negligence or error and denied DIC benefits.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, lumbosacral strain with rheumatoid spondylitis, sacroiliac joints and degenerative joint disease, coronary artery disease, PTSD, and TDIU. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's 30 percent rating for coronary artery disease is restored, effective December 12, 2014. The 50 percent rating for PTSD prior to March 1, 2017 and the 50 percent rating from that date are denied.

The Veteran's heart disability is being remanded for further evaluation due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and coronary artery disease (Ischemic Heart Disease) are granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure and presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran is placed on continuous medication for his ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma B cell type, and diabetes mellitus type II are all granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure in Korea.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's coronary artery disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma B cell type, and diabetes mellitus type II based on presumed exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease was granted. The diseases are presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure, but denied service connection for thyroid disorder due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for service connection and TDIU due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's coronary artery disease since September 1, 2015. The reduction from 100 percent to 30 percent was proper as the evidence demonstrated an overall improvement in the Veteran’s disability picture.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations, review of records, and clarification regarding potential exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings for PTSD and coronary artery disease. The TDIU claim is also pending.

The Veteran's CAD was granted a 100 percent initial rating, effective July 26, 2019. The Veteran’s Hodgkin's disease is rated as noncompensable from February 1, 2014.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, heart condition, lung condition, and hypertension have been dismissed as the Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and a nexus opinion.