Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, including a claim for an increased evaluation and claims for prostate disability, dry eyes, hypertension, and heart disorder. The VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities. The claims for a chronic skin condition, diabetic retinopathy, coronary artery disease, and peripheral neuropathy are withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate efforts in obtaining medical records related to the Veteran's prostate cancer and heart disease, which are claimed as causes of death. The appellant must provide any additional treatment records or authorization for VA to obtain them.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment, as his hypertension, heart condition, and kidney disease alone do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and posttraumatic stress disorder, along with his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), were granted. The effective date is not specified as the decision was made prior to any award of benefits.

The Board has found the VA examiner's opinion inadequate to determine the impact of the Veteran's service-connected heart disability on his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful employment. The Veteran is being given an opportunity to provide additional evidence and undergo another examination.

The Veteran's appeal for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) was denied, and the Board found that a TDIU based on a single service-connected disability is not warranted during the period from January 14, 2003 to February 9, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected rheumatic heart disease renders him unemployable and he is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection as they are related to his death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for angina pectoris with CAD and remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea. The decision also granted a higher rating for angina pectoris with CAD from March 17, 2015 to August 10, 2017.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a heart condition, including ischemic heart disease. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of any heart condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cardiovascular disease or hypertension was caused or aggravated by his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors, including a lack of records search for Agent Orange exposure in Korea and SSA disability benefits records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to November 5, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that prior to February 22, 2016, his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing and maintaining employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, and a skin disorder (claimed as plaque parapsoriasis of the upper body) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD, CAD, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and a large artery aneurysm are being remanded due to the need for further development. The effective date of TDIU and DEA benefits is also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability and that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.