Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and vertigo were denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents, the diseases did not manifest during or shortly after service, and there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected esophageal reflux with irritable bowel disease and diarrhea.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and renal insufficiency as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease. The decision is based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents in the coastal waters of Vietnam.

The Veteran's TDIU and Chapter 35 (DEA) eligibility are granted effective May 1, 2007. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities as of May 1, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disabilities other than mitral valve prolapse with regurgitation due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's current diagnoses include coronary artery disease, supraventricular tachycardia, and stable angina.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the remaining claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease, necrotizing pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus type II, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee disability and denied his claim for esophageal cancer. The heart disease and bilateral foot disorder claims are not reopened.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of coronary artery disease was granted with an effective date of September 26, 2019. The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date.

The Board denied service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on being permanently housebound due to a single disability rated at 100 percent and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is rated at 0 percent, as the VA examination results do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran does not have a current disability of impaired hearing in his left ear for VA purposes. Therefore, service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.,There is no persuasive evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that he has a pulmonary condition due to his time in service. Service connection for a pulmonary condition is denied.,VA does not have any medical records or etiological opinions linking the Veteran’s current ischemic heart disease to his active service. Therefore, service connection for ischemic heart disease is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is granted as his effective date for election of VA compensation in lieu of military retired pay was determined to be earlier than August 13, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 60 percent for ischemic heart disease prior to February 24, 2020 is denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have chronic congestive heart failure or a workload of 3 METs or less resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death, as his fall was due to a hip fracture unrelated to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's heart disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a pre-existing condition prior to his death.,The Veteran's left knee disorder is remanded for additional development due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination.,The Veteran's hypertension is remanded because the medical opinion did not adequately address whether it was caused by or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's kidney disorder is remanded as there is no evidence of a pre-existing condition prior to his death.,The Veteran's thyroid disorder is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA opinion regarding its relationship with service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for a heart condition, finding that the evidence did not establish an in-service onset or relationship to service. Service connection was granted for a skin condition, with the Board considering it as having been present since service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for HTN, ED, and eczema as secondary to DM or exposure to herbicides are remanded. The Veteran's service-connected DM is rated at 20 percent, PN of the left lower extremity prior to January 24, 2020, is rated at 10 percent, and PN of the right lower extremity from January 24, 2020, is rated at 20 percent. The Veteran's CAD is rated at 10 percent prior to January 10, 2019, and from March 1, 2019, to January 23, 2020. His BHL and nephropathy are not compensable.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a heart disability (secondary to varicose veins), and an extraschedular TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for a heart condition, including as secondary to herbicide agent exposure. Additionally, the Board has also remanded the case for reopening the Veteran's daughter's claim for benefits under Chapter 18 of the U.S.C., which is related to spina bifida and herbicide agent exposure.