Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and a heart disorder. The claims are now remanded for further development including VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for coronary artery disease, diabetic nephropathy with hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and neuropathy of the lower extremities have been granted. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicide agents and secondary service connection. The Veteran's heart disorder, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy are also being reviewed.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart disorder and remanded the claims of bilateral nuclear cataracts and left eye open angle glaucoma. The decision is binding only with respect to the specific matters decided.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and CAD did not render him unable to secure or follow gainful employment, as he had maintained employment in an industry that allowed for solitary work. The Board found the evidence insufficient to demonstrate his inability to engage in substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete verification of herbicide/pesticide exposure in Fort Knox, Kentucky from October 1966 to December 1966. The AOJ is instructed to make reasonable efforts to obtain this information and provide it to the Veteran.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's current heart disability is related to service or secondary to his right hip/pelvis disability. The low back disability issue is also remanded with similar instructions.

The Board has vacated the remand decision because the Veteran withdrew his appeal, and thus the issue is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's heart disability. The examiner was not provided with all relevant records and did not address several key points.

The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease with syncope is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under DC 7007. The Veteran's hypertension does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's hypertension has been rated as noncompensable (0%) throughout the period on appeal due to his diastolic pressure remaining below 100 and systolic pressure being between 100-160. The Veteran is currently in receipt of a 10% rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy from January 7, 2014.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy has been rated as 10% since October 1, 2008. The Board found that the disability is most analogous to mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve and thus warrants a 10% rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claims for the periods prior to February 1, 2017 and from December 1, 2018 were denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him incapable of employment. The claim for TDIU during the period from February 1, 2017 to December 1, 2018 was dismissed as moot due to receipt of SMC based on a combined schedular evaluation of 100 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents while stationed at Korat RTAFB.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and posttraumatic stress disorder resulted in a disability rating of 100 percent effective February 9, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his assertions of in-service exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. The AOJ must verify these claims and then reassess the service connection based on this verification.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not cause the need for regular aid and attendance, thus his claim for special monthly compensation based on this is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's service connection for heart disease and pulmonary disorders, including pulmonary hypertension. The decision also requires obtaining medical records from Portsmouth General Hospital and a medical opinion on whether these conditions were caused by military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about a VHA expert's opinion on whether the Veteran's right breast cancer is related to exposure to Agent Orange. The issues of secondary service connection for various conditions are also being remanded as they are intertwined with the primary claim.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his heart disability and scars are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, specifically private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.,Service connection for a heart condition other than hypertension, presumed due to herbicide exposure in service, is denied.,A rating in excess of 30 percent for neurodermatitis prior to February 6, 2020, and a rating in excess of 60 percent effective from February 6, 2020, are also denied.