Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand, which is associated with coronary artery disease. Therefore, the claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type I, coronary artery disease, neuropathy, and bilateral eye disorder due to incomplete development. The claims are inextricably intertwined with his increased rating and TDIU claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to procedural errors in previous decisions, including issues with timeliness of notices and obtaining STRs from the Veteran's period of active duty for training. The claims are now pending again.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD) effective as of February 6, 2019. The condition was found to be manifested by mild dilation on echocardiogram and required continuous medication.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his CAD disability is denied as the evidence does not show that he has chronic congestive heart failure or a workload of less than 3 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope. The TDIU claim is also denied because the Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating is at least 80% and his disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied service connection for coronary artery disease as due to Agent Orange exposure, and the case is remanded for further development regarding left knee disability and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for various conditions, including vertigo, chronic otitis externa, diabetes mellitus type II, colon polyps, residuals of a neck tumor excision, coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension. The issues are related to new evidence that reopened these claims.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for his coronary artery disease (CAD) status post coronary artery bypass graft was granted at a 60 percent level, which is the maximum assigned under DC 7017. The Board found that the Veteran’s condition did not meet or approximate criteria for higher ratings based on congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection and rating for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for ischemic heart disease and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death, as no order granting substitution has been issued.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure. The Veteran is presumed exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, heart disability, and acne due to exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Vietnam. The VA is instructed to schedule the Veteran for appropriate examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an eye disorder was granted in March 2020, but the appeal is dismissed as moot because the claim has been granted. The TDIU claim was denied as the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his heart disability and TDIU are being remanded due to outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to January 31, 2014, for the grants of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 31, 2013, for the grant of service connection for surgical scar is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 31, 2013, for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, ischemic heart disease, and stroke residuals, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 15, 2005 for service connection of coronary artery disease (CAD) due to lack of evidence showing a claim was filed before that date.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease with coronary angioplasty with stent is granted at a 100% rating as of July 24, 2017. Prior to this date, the Veteran was rated at 60%. The effective date for the increased rating remains pending.