Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for diabetes was granted. The petitions to reopen claims for service connection for a heart condition, hypertension, eye conditions, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were denied.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of February 5, 2016 for a 70 percent disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran is also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from September 21, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, including hypertension, which he contends is related to herbicide exposure during his time at the Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand. The VA will obtain relevant treatment records and schedule an examination to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current health conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since November 1, 2010. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's heart disability, including valvular and hypertensive conditions, may be related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. However, there is insufficient evidence in the current record to make a determination on these issues due to conflicting medical opinions and need for additional evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for retinitis pigmentosa and denied service connection for a heart condition. The Veteran's current bilateral eye retinitis pigmentosa is considered to have been incurred in service, with the presumption of soundness rebutted due to aggravation during service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease, cervical herniated nucleus pulposus at C5-C6, and cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity. The TDIU claim is also on appeal. These issues are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.

The Veteran's cardiovascular condition, claimed as coronary artery disease, was not incurred during active service and is denied.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not begin during active service and is denied.,The Veteran's back condition was not incurred during active service and is denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease are presumed to have been incurred as a result of service due to herbicide exposure. The claims for peripheral neuropathy and hypertension remain pending and need further review.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and higher ratings have been dismissed. The Board found the Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding PTSD, heart disability, prostate disability, and Alzheimer’s/dementia.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for a new examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and hypertension, specifically focusing on the period of active duty special work from September 2001 to September 2002.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, sinusitis, heart condition, mini-stroke, IBS, erectile dysfunction, and keloid of the chest. The appeals are not about service connection but rather to revise a previous rating decision.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus due to lack of a current diagnosis. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and sleep apnea due to insufficient examination opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently considered direct service connection cases.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction was granted. The claims for hypertension were remanded.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed.,No new or changed rating has been assigned.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based upon unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are being remanded to allow for additional development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional evidence regarding the Veteran's service in the territorial waters of Vietnam, which could impact his claim for service connection and VA burial benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports regarding the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) status-post coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). The VA needs to provide an adequate examination that addresses the functional impact of the Veteran’s heart condition on his ability to work.