Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's metastatic lung cancer and ischemic heart disease are not service connected, but the Board granted presumptive service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient efforts by VA to verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Okinawa, Japan. The AOJ is instructed to make multiple requests to the Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) covering the relevant time period in 60-day increments.

The Board has vacated the May 2019 decision denying a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 19, 2013 due to new evidence submitted in June 2019. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment prior to that date.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to special monthly pension (SMP) was denied because he failed to provide the necessary information and forms requested by VA, leading to his abandonment of the claim.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) was granted at a 10 percent level prior to January 30, 2012. From January 30, 2012, to January 15, 2013, the Veteran received a 60 percent rating for CAD. From January 16, 2013, to March 11, 2015, he was granted a 100 percent rating for CAD. The Veteran's CABG scar was initially rated at 10 percent prior to March 4, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a lymphocytic growth on the neck is dismissed. The Board has also remanded issues regarding his right hip and femur pain, as well as heart disease.

The Board has remanded the DIC benefits claim based on service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, and is seeking additional evidence. The DIC benefits claim under §1318 remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for angioneurotic edema was denied. A 10 percent rating was granted for sinusitis with hypertrophic rhinitis. The claims to reopen service connection for COPD and heart condition were both denied.

The Board has remanded three issues: heart condition, skin condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's service connection claims are related to exposure to herbicides.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease as there is no current disability with regard to his heart, and the evidence does not support a finding of ischemic heart disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting employment information and unclear functional impairment of the Veteran's coronary artery disease. Additional development is needed, including obtaining a completed Request for Employment Information form from the Veteran’s former employer and an addendum opinion clarifying the impact of his service-connected condition on his employability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, lung disorder (COPD), heart disorder (coronary artery disease), and back disorder.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's daughter, K.J., is granted helpless child benefits on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support before attaining the age of 18.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development and an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's heart condition. The issue of service connection remains on hold until these steps are completed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for further development regarding the Veteran's cause of death.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection for a renal disorder and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, PTSD with chronic and severe major depression, and prostate cancer, rendered him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment from April 15, 2014 to April 18, 2019. His claim for TDIU is granted during this period. For the period after April 18, 2019, his disability rating was 100%, making a separate TDIU claim moot.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to March 12, 2016 and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's CAD was rated at 60 percent and denied an increased rating in excess of 60 percent.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 40 percent from March 22, 2016 onwards and denied an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, diabetes, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined disability ratings of 80 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need to review additional VA treatment records and examinations.