Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

Ischemic heart disease was granted service connection effective February 22, 2011.,Urinary incontinence (as a residual of prostate cancer) was denied an earlier effective date prior to December 13, 2010.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings.,An effective date prior to June 9, 2008, was denied for the award of service connection for erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and type II diabetes mellitus due to lack of evidence verifying exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease has been rated at 100% since October 23, 2019. Prior to that date, the rating was increased to 100% for the periods from August 31, 2010 to September 21, 2014, and from January 1, 2015 to July 31, 2016, and October 1, 2016 to October 22, 2016. The Veteran's disability is currently rated as 100% due to his METs level being between 1-3 resulting in angina.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current heart disability, including atrial fibrillation and heart block, is at least as likely as not related to his active service. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted with a 70% rating for the period prior to May 22, 2014, and a 100% rating thereafter. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is granted with a 70% rating. The Veteran's CAD is also granted with a 70% rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's heart disability, including coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation, is proximately due to or aggravated by his PTSD. The Veteran should be given another opportunity to submit relevant private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, a bilateral eye disability (cataracts), edema of abdomen, legs, and feet, and a liver disability, all claimed as resulting from herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran served in Thailand during his active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were dismissed due to his death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, scars status-post heart surgery, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have all been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or any other area where herbicide exposure was presumed, and there is no evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disability is granted with an effective date of August 18, 1993.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, a heart rhythm condition, and hypertension. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease cannot be granted as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The Board has also identified errors in obtaining relevant service records and has ordered further efforts to obtain such records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's foot disabilities, including amputation of the left second toe. The claims for service connection for basal cell carcinoma, hypertension, and heart disorder are denied.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's CAD rating from a 60 percent to a 30 percent, effective January 1, 2020, was proper and denied the restoration of the 60 percent rating.

The Veteran's earlier effective date for the addition of his spouse R.J. as a dependent to his award is granted, with the effective date being March 1, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, prostate cancer prior to May 17, 2018, and CAD since December 2, 2019 were denied. The Veteran was granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease), diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his reported exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating from March 25, 2014. Prior to that date, the criteria for a TDIU were not met.

The Veteran's claim for beneficiary travel payment was not received within the required 30-day period after completing his February 28, 2017 travel to the Iowa City VA Healthcare System. As a result, his claim is denied.