Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and ulcers are granted. The cases of hypertension and ulcers are remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for the Veteran's listed conditions, including those related to herbicide exposure, due to his death.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was granted a 60% rating from February 25, 2013 to October 17, 2017. From May 7, 2011 to February 24, 2013 and from February 1, 2018 onwards, the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of hypertension, heart condition, and left upper extremity neuropathy for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure. The AOJ is instructed to attempt verification of the Veteran's claimed herbicide exposure in Okinawa, Japan.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis, effective November 13, 2006, due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, as no VA examination was conducted during the period from May 2011 through June 2016. The appellant's service-connected coronary artery disease may warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for ischemic heart disease (IHD)/coronary artery disease (CAD) are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and the retrieval of pertinent treatment records.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis was denied. Claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, a chronic disability manifested by hemoccult positive stools, an acquired psychiatric disability (likely PTSD), and chronic insomnia were also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and his service connection for the cause of death. The appellant needs to provide verification of activities by the Veteran in recreational facilities at Korat RTAFB, as well as a medical opinion on whether these events are indicative of heart issues.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus disability has not required regulation of activities, and a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.,For the appeal period from April 9, 2019 to January 21, 2020, the Veteran’s CAD disability more nearly approximated a workload of 3 METs or less resulting in angina, warranting a 100% rating.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including respiratory disorder, heart disorder, erectile dysfunction, gastrointestinal disorder, and others, all of which the Veteran claims are related to in-service exposure to ionizing radiation. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's heart disorder, specifically whether it is related to service-connected PTSD. The appellant is seeking service connection for a heart disorder secondary to PTSD and for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension were granted. However, the claim for a higher rating for his thoracic spine disability was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for coronary artery disease, status post coronary bypass surgery, from March 8, 2018 to March 7, 2019 was granted with a 100% evaluation.,The effective date of service connection for surgical scar is denied as it does not meet the criteria.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased evaluation of ischemic heart disease and service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, and remanded the claim for total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, which is presumed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type II (DM), diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and coronary artery disease. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension is granted. The total temporary rating claim is denied, and the valvular heart disease and TDIU claims are remanded.