Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic obstructive sleep apnea, a heart condition (claimed as coronary artery disease), and gout due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for various conditions, including lung disorder (COPD), acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), cervical spine disorder (neck strain), varicose veins, sleep apnea, and chronic heart disorder (MI). These issues are being remanded for additional VA examination to address conflicting medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, heart condition, lung disability, and sinus disability as the evidence did not support a link to active duty.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, low back disability with radiculopathy, testicular hypogonadism, and depressive disorder have been granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base.,Service connection has also been denied for bilateral cataracts.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a grant of financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only, as they do not result in loss or use of hands or feet.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a waiver of overpayment due to an error in withholding attorney fees, finding that recovery would not be against equity and good conscience.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension are granted as presumptively due to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam.,Right lower extremity and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. The heart condition is denied.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the evidence did not support an earlier effective date for his increased rating of PTSD and CAD, and he is currently rated at 30% for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the reduction of the disability rating from 30 percent to 10 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) effective October 1, 2019 was proper.

The claim of service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted. The claim of service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include COPD, is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease. The issue of a higher disability rating for prostate cancer with urinary tract infections is dismissed due to acceptance of the current rating. A 60 percent disability rating is granted for coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass graft, and erectile dysfunction remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including ischemic heart disease and atrial fibrillation, were denied. The claims for right leg poor circulation and blisters, left leg poor circulation and blisters, and depression have been denied but are not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed because he did not file a VA Form 10182 in response to the February 2020 rating decision, which is required under the AMA.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease was granted at a 60 percent level from March 26, 2014 to February 7, 2018. The claim for higher ratings prior to and after this period is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicide agents and other chemicals during his time at Fort McClellan, Alabama. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions due to incomplete records from his active duty period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease is remanded due to incomplete records and an inadequate examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus (DM) was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied.