Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70% effective October 25, 2011. The claim for an earlier effective date is granted.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease was not established before the liberalizing law and thus no effective date prior to October 22, 2012 can be assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for a kidney disability and a heart disability, finding that the Veteran's in-service symptoms were likely manifestations of underlying conditions that resulted in his current disabilities.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease was denied as the evidence did not show symptoms of congestive heart failure, a workload of 7 METs or less; cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation; or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction (LVEF) less than 50 percent at any point during the period on appeal prior to September 8, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's pulmonary embolism is related to his service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective September 20, 2017. Service connection for a heart condition, peptic ulcer disease, and residuals of traumatic brain injury have also been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected Ischemic Heart Disease is rated at 60% from March 14, 2014 to August 17, 2015. Effective March 14, 2014, the Veteran also has a 100% rating for PTSD and additional disabilities independently rated at 60%, meeting the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) is denied as the condition was not shown to be related to his service or any service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy is denied as there is no evidence of current disability during the pendency of the claims and the VA examination did not find any evidence of such disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability (to include coronary artery disease (CAD)) is denied as chronic cardiovascular disease was not shown to have been manifested in service or within one year following separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in a unit that operated near the Korean DMZ where herbicide agents, including Agent Orange, were known to have been applied. Therefore, service connection for heart disorder is denied as there is no evidence of exposure to such agents.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a liver condition has been denied.,A 60 percent rating for cardiovascular heart disease prior to September 28, 2009, was granted with an effective date of November 14, 2003.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's heart disorders, including those related to service and Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the cause of death and its relation to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the reduction in rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) from 30 percent to 10 percent was improper and restored the 30 percent disability rating. The Veteran's increased rating claim is also remanded due to insufficient examination records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of Parkinson's disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and ischemic heart disease are granted. Additionally, the Veteran is awarded a TDIU rating and SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional evidence related to the Veteran's service in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability due to herbicide agent exposure as there was no credible evidence of such exposure and the Veteran did not have ongoing symptoms or treatment related to his heart disability until years after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence in the VA examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's heart condition is caused or aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for organic heart disease, hypertension, and paralysis with drooping of the left side of face (Bell's Palsy) are being remanded due to new evidence submitted since previous denials. The Board is seeking clarification on the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s heart disabilities and their relationship to his service-connected valvular heart disease.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for hiatal hernia with non-erosive esophagitis was dismissed.,Service connection for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine is granted.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a heart disability and prostate disability are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure. The claim for erectile dysfunction secondary to type II diabetes mellitus is denied.