Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is granted a 70% rating, effective July 9, 2014. The Board also found that the Veteran was entitled to TDIU from July 9, 2014. However, service connection for a heart disability secondary to his right radial ulnar disability remains pending and requires further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure during the Veteran's service in Thailand.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship to service and rejecting any presumption based on herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) as the evidence does not show it is at least as likely as not related to active service.

The Veteran's death was not due to service-connected conditions, and the cause of his death is being remanded for further review. The Board also denied DIC benefits under section 1318.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's heart condition is aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type I was granted service connection. The remaining issues of secondary service connection for various complications are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to determine if the Veteran's service on USS Robison was within 12 nautical miles off the coast of Vietnam, which would allow for presumptive exposure to herbicide agents and potentially grant service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claims for right knee disorder, coronary artery disease, and PTSD were not granted. The effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease was denied as it was received within one year of the Veteran's separation from active duty. The Veteran's claim for hypertension is remanded due to lack of evidence supporting a direct link to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including left arm disability, back disability, vision disability, heart disability, hypertension, and prostate cancer. The case is being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TBI, ischemic heart disease, hearing loss, and a fractured mandible, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for arteriosclerotic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection for a heart disorder other than IHD is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition (myocardial infarction) was denied. The initial rating for dermatitis prior to September 19, 2017 was also denied. A rating of 60 percent for dermatitis from September 19, 2017 to November 26, 2019 was granted. However, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for dermatitis thereafter was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart condition, which may be related to Agent Orange exposure or secondary to his service-connected type 2 diabetes.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart condition (coronary artery disease), and leukemia as the conditions were not shown to be related to service or any presumptive exposure. The Veteran's death was also not found to be due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected as secondary to his diabetes mellitus.,There is no current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease, and the Veteran's claim for this condition was denied.

The reduction of the ischemic heart disease rating from 60% to 30% was improper, and a restoration to 60% disabling is granted. The discontinuation of TDIU due to the reduction in disability rating is also restored.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease was reduced to a 30% rating in March 2015. The Board found that the reduction was improper and restored the 60% rating effective June 1, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and right leg circulation problems were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,Claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, high blood pressure/hypertension, and heart attack/CAD were not reopened as there was no new and material evidence received.