Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

For the period on appeal from January 14, 2014 to October 30, 2019, the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease was characterized by more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure or a workload of greater than 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope. The Veteran is therefore entitled to a disability rating of 60 percent.,From October 30, 2019, the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease has been characterized by chronic congestive heart failure; or a workload of 3 METs or less resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 30 percent. The Veteran is therefore entitled to a disability rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened and granted. The appeal is denied for the remaining issues, including high cholesterol, melanoma, hypothyroidism, peripheral neuropathy, kidney disability, heart disability, lumbar degenerative arthritis, PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, and TDIU.

The Board has denied service connection for a cardiovascular disorder other than the service-connected coronary artery disease and remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to in-service herbicide exposure and/or as secondary to the service-connected CAD and PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for left thumb sprain with degenerative arthritis and denied service connection for heart disability (to include cardiac arrhythmia). The decision on the heart disability issue is based on new evidence that was not previously considered.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to August 23, 2018 for a 100% disability rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied. The first instance where the Veteran showed symptoms severe enough to warrant a 100% disability rating was during his November 2018 VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of PTSD was withdrawn, and his claim for SMC-AA or at housebound rate was denied due to lack of evidence showing he requires regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities alone necessitate regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU rating, as they are rated at 80 percent combined. The Board found that his service-connected conditions do not render him incapable of maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to attend a scheduled examination for sleep apnea. The examiner is requested to determine if the Veteran’s sleep apnea is related to his active service, or his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a heart condition, an unspecified depressive disorder, and a headache condition. The Veteran's claims are currently pending.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated as 10% disabling, but the Board found that his blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The service connection claim for coronary artery disease and cardiomyopathy was remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, as these conditions are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) during the Veteran's active service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease, chronic fatigue, PAD, hypertension, and a skin disability of the right leg due to incomplete records from Social Security Administration (SSA) and the need for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes, effective from the dates of receipt of the respective claims. Effective date for CAD is May 15, 2012, based on exposure to herbicides in Korea DMZ prior to claim filing; effective date for diabetes is February 24, 2011, also due to exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder disability, coronary artery disease, stomach disability (including a tumor on adrenal gland), and diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions had their onset in service or were related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused or aggravated by his service-connected back and heart disabilities. The VA needs to provide a new medical advisory opinion addressing these issues.

The surviving spouse's motions for reversal or revision of a June 1, 1971 Board decision on the basis of clear and unmistakable evidence (CUE) are dismissed because the Veteran died prior to any ruling.

Your claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease has been granted, and the appeal is dismissed as there are no remaining issues to be decided.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for coronary artery disease and left lung adenocarcinoma, finding that no earlier claims were filed and that VA did not initiate a review within one year of the August 2010 liberalizing law adding ischemic heart disease to the list of diseases presumptively associated with herbicide exposure.