Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and coronary artery disease, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of August 3, 2017. The Board granted an effective date of August 3, 2017 for the award of TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his active service at RTAFB Nakhon Phanom.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, status post CABG, and diabetes mellitus, type II, are related to exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. The Veteran's stroke with cerebral artery occlusion is also related to these exposures.,Service connection for frontal dementia is granted as it is secondary to the Veteran's history of stroke.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, type I and service connection for his heart disorder other than nonobstructive coronary artery disease were both denied by the Board. The denial is based on insufficient evidence to support either claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart disability, bronchitis, and a left shoulder disability. The right knee degenerative joint disease claim was remanded.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence regarding the combined functional effects of all service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's ability to perform gainful employment. Further development is required, including obtaining a medical opinion from an occupational and/or vocational medicine expert.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and issuing a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of his claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 40 percent prior to September 11, 2020. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for COPD has been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that the condition began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and medical opinions regarding his impotence and dry eye syndrome. The Veteran also has a pending claim for service connection for coronary artery disease with artery bypass graft (claimed as left bundle heart hemiblock).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of whether the Veteran's ED is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, specifically diabetes, CAD, PTSD, peripheral neuropathy, and tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease prior to March 6, 2017 and from March 6, 2017. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7017.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus has been granted as a result of exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.,The cause of the Veteran's death, which was listed as stroke with underlying causes of coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, is also considered presumptively related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no decision was made on the merits of any claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is at least as likely as not substantially contributing to his death from pulmonary edema. The decision grants entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Veteran's chest keloid scar is rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 7804, which considers painful scars. His coronary artery disease is currently rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 7005.,Both issues are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated employment information and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's functional impairment due to his service-connected disabilities. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability and for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to military service, including exposure to contaminated water or herbicide agents.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims of service connection for a right knee disability, heart disability, and respiratory disability. However, these claims are still pending as they need further medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his coronary artery disease associated with herbicide exposure is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence.