Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU consideration and his service-connected disabilities preclude him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney cysts was reopened and granted. The heart condition claim was also reopened, but the respiratory disability, right hand disability, and liver disability claims were denied.,The Veteran died in August 2017, and his surviving spouse is substituted as the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, previously claimed as cardiomegaly, congestive heart failure and dilated cardiomyopathy of unknown etiology, is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for pulmonary hypertension and coronary artery disease, as they are related to his service-connected tuberculosis.

The Veteran's initial claim for a disability rating of 60 percent for CAD was granted effective September 9, 2013. The earlier effective dates for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and associated tinnitus were also granted on July 3, 2012.,The Veteran’s claim for a compensable schedular disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The appeal is also remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his CAD, and for readjudication of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease, status post myocardial infarction, is rated at 30 percent since February 6, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease and squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx due to potential exposure to Agent Orange while serving aboard the U.S.S. Reeves in Vietnam waters, but cannot determine if the vessel was within 12 nautical miles of the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board dismissed the appeals for a rating in excess of 30 percent for ischemic heart disease, service connection for right and left knee disabilities, low back disability, and hypertension.,The Board also dismissed the appeals for service connection for right and left foot disabilities. The appellant withdrew these claims at his September 2019 hearing.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and sleep apnea have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, finding that her current condition is not related to her military service.

The Veteran's requests to reopen claims for service connection for heart murmur and heart disease were denied because the submitted evidence was not new and material, and did not relate to an unestablished fact needed to substantiate the claims.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded claims for right ankle and left knee disabilities, as well as a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), diabetes mellitus, multiple myeloma, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, which he contends is related to herbicide exposure. The Board notes that while there is no evidence of in-country service in Vietnam, the Veteran served in Korea during a period when herbicides were used along the DMZ. Further verification of his claimed exposure is needed.,The Veteran seeks service connection for multiple myeloma, which he contends is related to herbicide exposure. The Board notes that while there is no evidence of in-country service in Vietnam, the Veteran served in Korea during a period when herbicides were used along the DMZ. Further verification of his claimed exposure is needed.,The Veteran seeks service connection for ischemic heart disease, which he contends is related to herbicide exposure. The Board notes that while there is no evidence of in-country service in Vietnam, the Veteran served in Korea during a period when herbicides were used along the DMZ. Further verification of his claimed exposure is needed.,The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension, which he contends is secondary to diabetes mellitus. The Board notes that while there is no evidence of in-country service in Vietnam, the Veteran served in Korea during a period when herbicides were used along the DMZ. Further verification of his claimed exposure is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of service connection for ischemic heart disease due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE), finding that there was no CUE in the April 2011 rating decision. The earliest possible effective date is November 2, 2004, when the Veteran filed his initial claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as the evidence shows he can secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in or near the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for radiation exposure and mercury exposure. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating and TDIU due to conflicting evidence regarding his service-connected coronary artery disease. The Veteran asserts a 100% rating based on chronic residual findings of congestive heart failure or angina, while VA records indicate he did not meet these criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart condition, hypertension, and peripheral vascular disease. The claim of entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is remanded.