Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, including verification of service dates and obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for esophageal cancer, COPD, SMC based on need for aid and attendance, and TDIU as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service records do not provide sufficient information to determine if he was exposed to herbicide agents while serving aboard U.S.S. Bennington and Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Eight. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's heart disability has been rated at 30 percent since May 1, 2020. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms have not worsened to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran is granted an initial 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) with valvular heart disease, effective from the date of this decision.,Service connection for hypertension secondary to service-connected CAD is granted.,Service connection for hypertensive heart disease (HHD) secondary to service-connected hypertension is granted.

The Board has found that the VA remand directives have not been substantially complied with and another remand is required. The VAMC must obtain outstanding VA treatment records, including those from April 2017 to the present at the Milwaukee VAMC, and a medical opinion from Dr. T.H.Y., MD regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities demonstrate a clear functional need for a powered mobility device (such as an electric scooter).

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a heart disability, service connection for a right knee disability, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for other specified anxiety disorder.

The Board has granted a 100% disability rating for coronary artery disease effective January 20, 2020. Housebound special monthly compensation is also granted effective that date. The Veteran's increased rating claim and service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his heart condition prior to December 17, 2019 is denied. A rating of 60 percent is granted as of December 17, 2019.,A remand is ordered due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and service or herbicide exposure, and whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection related to cramping in arms and legs, hypertension (to include due to service-connected conditions), degenerative disc disease, sciatic of the left lower extremity, and gout are remanded as insufficient medical opinions were provided regarding these issues.

The Board found no evidence of a current heart disorder or one incurred during service, including due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's symptoms are attributed to subclavian steal syndrome and other non-cardiac conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease, status post coronary artery bypass graft and myocardial infarction was denied as the evidence did not show that his METs level was 5 or below or left ventricle ejection fraction was 50 percent or below.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease is granted a 100% rating from November 1, 2015, through January 27, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and coronary artery disease due to exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection is denied for right shoulder pain and head trauma. The case of skin cancer is remanded.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the rate specified under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(1), due to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder and coronary artery disease requiring regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings based on the severity of symptoms and medical findings.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with previous remand directives and requires corrective action. The case is being returned for further development, including the provision of an addendum medical advisory opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, and coronary artery disease (a form of ischemic heart disease) due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during the Veteran's service in Korea.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for prostate cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to prostate cancer and/or diabetes due to a failure to verify herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran's barracks were near the base perimeter during his time at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and procedural errors. The Veteran was not afforded VA examinations or access to his service treatment records, which are necessary to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were all denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for PTSD and radiculopathy were also denied.