Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as adjustment disorder NOS, is granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a credible report of in-service stressful events and his reactions to them, which led to a diagnosis of adjustment disorder NOS.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence, specifically a METs exercise test.

The reduction from a 100 percent to a 60 percent rating for service-connected ischemic heart disease was improper, and the 100 percent rating is restored. The Veteran's entitlement to special monthly compensation based on total disability due to additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type 2 are remanded due to lack of evidence regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus do not render him completely unemployable, as he can engage in sedentary and light to moderate physical activities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease due to Agent Orange exposure is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for right hand arthritis is denied.

The Veteran's diabetes and coronary artery disease are presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam. The Veteran's death was caused by colon cancer, with significant contributions from his diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including heart disorder, sleep apnea, back disability, right foot disability, and hernia, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for heart disability and type II diabetes mellitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are not related to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for heart condition, prostate cancer, skin disorder (claimed as skin discoloration), and type II diabetes mellitus, all of which were claimed to be due to herbicide agent exposure. The appeal was dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied. The Veteran's heart disability was also denied as it did not have its onset in service, was not manifested within one year of discharge from service, and is not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the claims due to errors in obtaining records and inadequate examinations. The Veteran's right shoulder, back, and bilateral knee disabilities need further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a penile condition, initial rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery bypass graft, and initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II. The decision on these issues is pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's petition to reopen her service connection claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD has been granted. She is now entitled to these claims.,Service connection for a back disability, hypertension, migraine headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, heart condition, bilateral hearing loss, recurrent tinnitus, left foot condition, and right foot condition are all denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and heart disability are severe enough to prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).