Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further action, including issuance of a Statement of the Case and consideration of the claims. The issues are whether the Veteran should receive a higher disability rating for his heart disease and if he is entitled to an earlier effective date for a higher rate of special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's DIC claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 was denied as he did not meet the durational requirement for a total disability rating.,Service connection for the cause of death was also denied, with the Board concluding that COPD did not begin during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD), coronary artery disease (CAD), and hypertension, as well as residuals of a stroke. The Veteran's IHD/CAD did not have its onset in service or manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service discharge and is not related to service or service-connected disability.,The Board also denied service connection for the Veteran's hypertension and residuals of a stroke, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, as his claimed conditions are not service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability and hypertension, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service or herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claims were also remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded. The Veteran's claim for COPD is also being remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent from June 1, 2016 for prostate cancer remains pending.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation for coronary artery disease (CAD) was granted, with an effective date of December 20, 2019. The Board found that the Veteran is entitled to a 60 percent rating for CAD from August 27, 2012 to December 20, 2019.

The Veteran's IHD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted. The left forearm scar remains rated at 10 percent, with no change proposed.,PTSD was awarded a 50 percent rating from January 17, 2017 onwards, and the Veteran's TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for coronary artery disease and has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension and peripheral vascular disease. The case will be returned to the Board after additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. Service connection was denied for heart disease and diabetes mellitus as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted but with an effective date based on a request to reopen, rather than the original claim.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple service connection claims for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, liver disease, hepatitis C, skin cancer, neuropathy, residuals of shrapnel wounds to the back, buttocks, and legs, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and a lumbar spine disability. The appeal is currently remanded for further development.,The Veteran's appendectomy scar was rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 7804 due to pain but not instability.

The Board has remanded the claims for coronary artery disease and hypertension secondary to service-connected PTSD due to insufficient opinions regarding aggravation. The Veteran's attorney provided medical literature on associations between PTSD and cardiovascular disease and PTSD and hypertension, which must be considered in the addendum opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of arteriosclerotic heart disease is denied, and the issue of service connection for peripheral neuropathy affecting the bilateral feet and hands is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's heart condition is related to his service and exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has denied a compensable disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The cases of obstructive sleep apnea, heart disability, and prostate disability are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus Type II, left eye retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to herbicide exposure. Additional development is required including submission to the JSRRC and obtaining a medical opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart disorder, gastroparesis, kidney disorder, and hypertension. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and a bowel disorder due to potential exposure during service. The claim for SMC for aid and attendance of another is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart disability, hypertension, bilateral foot disability, and right foot disability due to incomplete development. The claims must be addressed again with additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as for VA examinations. The Veteran was not contacted by the RO to reschedule her previously scheduled VA examinations.