Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease from September 1, 2013 to November 25, 2019 is denied as the evidence does not show chronic congestive heart failure or workload of 3 METs or less during this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to his service-connected disabilities, including heart disability, respiratory disability, hepatitis C, anxiety disorder, lumbar strain, radiculopathy of both lower extremities, accessory navicular bone stress fractures of both feet, hypertension, and TDIU. The Board also noted that the Veteran's address has changed and requested appropriate action to reschedule him for VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for residuals of head trauma, a heart disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral ingrown toenails, and left foot plantar wart due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations, and his tinnitus was not present during service or related to service. The Veteran's heart disability is not considered ischemic heart disease.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence of hearing impairment or tinnitus in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, including an ischemic heart condition and coronary artery disease (CAD), finding no relationship between his current heart disorders and active duty service.

Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is granted. Service connection for a heart condition is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease and hypertension have been denied. The heart disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, while the hypertension has never met the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and a left arm disorder due to a duty-to-assist error involving missing VA treatment records from the 1970s.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, peripheral artery disease of the bilateral lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss, rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to dress or undress himself, keep himself clean and presentable, adjust prosthetic appliances, feed himself through coordination issues, attend to the wants of nature, or protect himself from hazards. The Board granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance prior to July 30, 2019.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death, finding that no service-connected disability was a principal or contributory cause of death.

The Board denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart disorder, finding that the conditions were not incurred or related to service.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 60 percent prior to October 9, 2013 for coronary artery disease, and earlier effective dates for TDIU, SMC, and DEA are all denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bronchitis, degenerative joint disease (DJD), and diabetes-related neuropathy, were denied. The Board found no current disability as claimed in any of these cases.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, IHD, right ankle injury residuals, DMII, CTS, and a noncompensable wrist scar, have precluded him from securing or following substantial gainful employment since January 1, 2011. A TDIU is granted effective from that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to February 8, 2020 and a disability rating in excess of 60 percent from February 8, 2020 for his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Veteran's CAD was rated at 30% prior to December 18, 2014. From December 18, 2014, to June 2, 2019, the rating was increased to 60%. Starting from June 3, 2019, the Veteran is rated at 100% for CAD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease with implanted cardiac pacemaker, unspecified depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and tinnitus, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for total disability due to individual unemployability for the period prior to March 7, 2011 based on his service-connected rheumatic heart disease and left knee degenerative changes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and lung condition, both secondary to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The VA examiners found no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service or exposure to contaminated water.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him bedridden, confined to his immediate premises, or unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person. Therefore, he is not eligible for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status.