Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease, as due to exposure to herbicide agents, is granted. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides while serving aboard the U.S.S. Ponchatoula in waters off Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and a heart disorder due to their inextricably intertwined nature. The claims will be merged and readjudicated.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and major depressive disorder due to possible exposure to herbicide defoliants while serving on Guam. The case is returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death and denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to lack of evidence linking his service-connected conditions to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, DDD of the lumbar spine, coronary artery disease, tinnitus, radiculopathy, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for body cramps and remanded the issues of service connection for lung disorder (due to asbestos exposure) and heart disorder. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease was found to have been rated at a 100% level from January 22, 1992 to prior to his death on January 22, 2000. This finding increased the Veteran's CAD rating to 100%, allowing for an increase in DIC benefits.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.,The Veteran's heart disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected Coronary Artery Disease and has also denied his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease is denied. The Board finds that the earliest possible effective date is October 26, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left shoulder osteoarthritis, and CAD, prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's Parkinson’s disease and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD) are not service-connected.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD), leukemia, COPD, AC joint arthritis of the left shoulder, urinary frequency, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, cervical spine disability (cervical spine disability), DMII (diabetes mellitus, type II), and lumbar spine disability are not granted.,Service connection for leukemia is remanded.,Service connection for COPD is remanded.,Service connection for AC joint arthritis of the left shoulder (claimed as arthritis of the left shoulder) is remanded.,Service connection for urinary frequency, to include as secondary to service-connected DMII with diabetic ulcer of the right foot or service-connected lumbar spine disability, and service connection for erectile dysfunction, to include as secondary to service-connected DMII or service-connected lumbar spine disability are remanded.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity prior to July 19, 2012, and higher than 30 percent thereafter; peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity prior to July 19, 2012, and higher than 20 percent thereafter; peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity; and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity are remanded.,Service connection for cervical spine disability (cervical spine disability); service connection for DMII (diabetes mellitus, type II); and service connection for lumbar spine disability are remanded.,Service connection for CAD associated with hypertension is remanded.,Service connection for lipoma tumor on the spine is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings in several cases, including lung fluid, tinnitus, hearing loss, right lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, heart disorder, left arm disorder, and TDIU. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, a heart disorder, and a left arm disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his active duty periods and the relationship between his current conditions and military service. The AOJ must verify the Veteran’s ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA dates, obtain addendum medical opinions, and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart condition is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, coronary artery disease, and painful sternotomy scar was granted with an effective date of August 20, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine when the Veteran last held substantially gainful employment prior to December 9, 2015 and to clarify his dates of employment. The issue of entitlement to an extraschedular TDIU is also referred to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a VA examination. The Veteran's heart disorder, including ischemic cardiomyopathy and CAD status post angioplasty, is related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings in excess of 60 percent for a lung disability, 50 percent for depressive disorder, and 30 percent for coronary artery disease. As a result, these issues are dismissed.