Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability and heart disability are not service-connected. The decision on the heart disability issue is pending as it requires a remand for further examination.

The Veteran's digestive system disabilities, including duodenal ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hiatal hernia, and hepatosplenomegaly of undetermined etiology, are rated at 40 percent prior to October 28, 2019, and 60 percent thereafter. The Veteran's coronary artery disease is currently rated as 100 percent disabling.,The Veteran seeks higher staged initial ratings for his service-connected coronary artery disease. He is in receipt of a 100 percent evaluation since April 27, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's ischemic heart disease, which is not related to herbicide exposure. A new VA examination and opinion are needed.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not present in service or for many years thereafter and is not otherwise related to service.,The Veteran’s acne pre-existed service; it was not aggravated beyond its natural progression by or during service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating and a 100% disability rating for his heart disability is denied. The effective date of service connection remains February 8, 2005.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance (A&A) or being housebound (HB).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and incomplete records, requiring a new VA examination and obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus type II, as well as coronary artery disease. The initial evaluation for diabetes mellitus type II remains at 20 percent. The increased rating claim for erectile dysfunction is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of his VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of other claims, and TDIU is deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Board denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD and depression, residuals of throat cancer, heart disability, respiratory disability, and diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of CAD, DMII, and BLEDN, as well as service connection for hypertension were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's heart disability and its relationship to service. The Veteran testified that his current heart disorder may be related to stress during active duty, but an addendum medical opinion is needed to address this claim.

The Board has granted service connection for sarcoma, ischemic heart disease, and a left leg amputation as secondary to sarcoma. The Veteran's exposure near the Ubon RTAFB perimeter is presumed due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease has rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, effective October 31, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and coronary artery disease, have rendered them unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has decided that the Veteran's ED is not secondary to his service-connected CAD due to conflicting opinions and a need for clarification. The case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's death was caused by a motor vehicle accident, and not by his service-connected prostate cancer or coronary artery disease. The decision is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart condition and alcohol use.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete service records and missing Reserve records. The Appellant is asked to provide any additional relevant treatment records, including those from his October 2003 cardiac procedure at the Cleveland Clinic and myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accident.