Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability from October 27, 2010 to January 28, 2016.,Beginning October 27, 2010, the Veteran is also granted special monthly compensation based on statutory housebound status.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for coronary artery disease and PTSD, as well as service connection for bilateral pes planus, were dismissed. The Board also remanded several other issues including hearing loss, sleep disorder, head condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, chronic low back condition, right hip condition, left hip condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further clarification regarding the Veteran's diagnosed mitral valve prolapse and its relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors, exposure to herbicide agents, and participation in combat. Additional development is required.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for ischemic heart disease prior to October 13, 2016 has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board.

The Veteran's PTSD and coronary artery disease have been rated at their maximum disability levels, allowing for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his military service and his current condition. The Board also found that his service-connected lung disability did not cause or aggravate his heart disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease were denied as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or a link to herbicide exposure. The Board found that the conditions did not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board granted service connection for a heart disability (including coronary artery disease) and denied service connection for peripheral vascular diseases of the right and left lower extremities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation during service and that any non-rheumatic heart disease conditions did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development regarding an earlier effective date for service connection and a TDIU determination.

The Board has denied service connection for a right elbow disability, and the case is being remanded due to issues with chest pain, genitourinary disability, right shoulder disability, and headaches.,Service connection for chest pain and heart disability (CAD) is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's heart disease is secondary to his service-connected back condition, specifically related to NSAIDs used for treatment of the back condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, examinations, and clarification of certain examination reports.

The Veteran's cause of death was found to be end stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which the Board determined was not related to service or a service-connected disability. The Board denied entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is now moot as he has been granted special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as a result of herbicide exposure, but the issue of service connection for non-ischemic heart disease secondary to hypertension is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to a lack of VA treatment records from the 1960s and 1970s. The Veteran testified that he received treatment for these conditions at various locations including Meadville VA, Franklin Hospital, and privately.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his period of ACDUTRA at Fort Chaffee and therefore, service connection for coronary artery disease is granted on a presumptive basis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral cataracts and coronary artery disease, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service or any service-connected disability.