Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Board has ordered remand for the following issues: initial rating in excess of 30 percent for ischemic heart disease, service connection for a skin disorder secondary to herbicide exposure, and TDIU. Additional records are needed from Dr. T and VA treatment records since August 2020. An addendum opinion is also required regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed skin disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims for a heart disability, hypertension, skin disability, and cervical disability due to service connection issues.,The Board has also remanded the claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.,

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease with old myocardial infraction has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 1, 2018.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence submitted by the Veteran after the November 2017 denial, which may support his claim for service connection for aortic heart valve abnormality. The AOJ needs to conduct a de novo review of the underlying service connection claim.

The Veteran's attorney is denied additional attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the February 2019 rating decision because he has already received the properly calculated attorney fees for 20 percent of the total award.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for stroke, as secondary to a heart condition due to issues being inextricably intertwined with another pending appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease due to exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) in Korea is granted. The Board found the Veteran was exposed to contaminated C-123 aircraft and his current diagnosis of CAD meets the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for PTSD, neck disability, and heart disability have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including sleep apnea and various hip and back disabilities. The appeals are being returned for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion and failure to address relevant evidence of record. The Veteran's attorney asserts that a VA examination is needed to determine if any current heart disability, including ischemic heart disease (IHD), is related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board dismissed the appeal on service connection for bladder cancer due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for ischemic heart disease from March 12, 2016 was denied as there is no evidence of chronic congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction less than 30 percent. The TDIU claim was also denied due to the Veteran’s ability to maintain substantially gainful employment despite his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease, status post coronary artery bypass graft with sternal scar, was granted at a 10 percent rating effective from November 19, 2009 to December 5, 2017.,From July 2, 2012 to April 1, 2016, the Veteran's condition warranted an initial 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to determine if a TDIU rating should be granted due to his service-connected heart conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus have been granted. The left knee condition and psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) claims are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II were not incurred or aggravated during service. The evidence does not support a finding of herbicide exposure in Thailand, which is required for presumptive service connection under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the assistance of another person in meeting his daily needs such as dressing, preparing meals, and medication management. The Veteran is granted SMC by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance of another person but denied spousal aid and attendance compensation.

The Veteran's heart disability, including coronary artery disease, is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was granted service connection. The issues of service connection for a heart condition and sarcoidosis are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) as secondary to his service-connected hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea.