Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to May 23, 2017, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the Veteran's symptoms and medical findings.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on various conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the claimant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while serving in the vicinity of the DMZ and finds it at least as likely as not that his coronary artery disease is related to this exposure. Service connection for coronary artery disease is granted.

The Veteran's initial rating for single vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to July 3, 2014 is denied. A rating greater than 30 percent for CAD is also denied. The effective date of the TDIU award is granted as July 27, 2010.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional medical inquiry regarding service connection for heart disorders, specifically non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and non-obstructive coronary artery disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that he does not have the condition and there is no competent evidence showing his carotid artery stenosis is related to service. The decision also noted that the Veteran did not qualify for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate reasons or bases provided in the March 2019 decision, specifically regarding the METs testing results and the Veteran's capacity to perform work-related tasks.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and a need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and re-reviewing the Veteran's coronary artery disease severity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, earlier effective date, and increased rating for coronary artery disease are being remanded due to the need for additional opinions regarding his carotid blockage status post endarterectomy.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including seeking evidence about the Veteran's part-time work as an auctioneer and determining whether it qualifies as marginal employment. The VA examinations are also needed to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at a 60% since October 18, 2019. This rating is granted.

The Board found compelling circumstances warranted the Veteran's prolonged unauthorized absence, thus finding that his character of discharge from service for the period from October 1965 to March 1973 does not constitute a statutory or regulatory bar to VA compensation benefits.

The Veteran's heart disability, including his pacemaker implantation and atrial fibrillation, is being remanded for a medical opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused by or related to service-connected PTSD medications. The left knee condition is also being remanded for a medical opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not secondary to his right knee disability.,reasoning_summary

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was granted from February 20, 2019 to September 15, 2019. The TDIU claim prior to September 16, 2019 was denied.

The Veteran's asthma is being remanded for a new examination to obtain the required DLC test results.,Service connection for COPD, allergic rhinitis, and GERD are all being remanded due to insufficient rationale in the previous opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD and coronary artery disease were denied increased disability evaluations, but he was granted a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension due to inadequate medical opinions regarding its etiology. The case will be returned for further development and an additional VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease is granted, and a rating of 60 percent is assigned from December 8, 2005. The appeal regarding the increased rating and SMC effective dates are also granted.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability, specifically supraventricular arrhythmia, as it did not find a causal relationship to the Veteran's active service or his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for coronary artery disease with old myocardial infarction associated with herbicide exposure is remanded due to the need for a new examination and additional testing.