Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD, heart condition, and arthritis. The issues of service connection for a heart condition and arthritis are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened and is granted. The evidence submitted shows a current diagnosis of hypertension, which was not shown during his military service.

The Board denied additional attorney fees based on past-due benefits from a March 2019 rating decision and a February 2020 retroactive compensation adjustment, as the appellant did not appeal the initial fee decision.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and a heart disability due to procedural errors in notifying the Veteran of what constitutes new and relevant evidence. The claim for service connection is being remanded because it may be related to exposure to herbicide agents or diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, heart disability and stroke, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents is not presumed as he did not serve in Vietnam or its surrounding areas. However, VA acknowledges potential exposure to various chemicals and toxins at Fort McClellan.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between his current condition and his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of prostate cancer and coronary artery bypass, as well as service connection for gout, hypertension (due to service-connected coronary artery bypass), a left knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are all remanded due to the need for additional evidence.,Service connection for PTSD is also remanded because there has not been a proper C&P exam.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart disability and its relationship to service, particularly his presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his discharge status.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, lung disability, heart disability, as well as upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies. The claims are based on direct evidence of a relationship between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for a 100% rating for ischemic heart disease status post pacemaker placement is granted, effective October 10, 2012. The earlier date of service connection and the initial 30% rating remain unchanged.

The Board has remanded multiple issues for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and requesting an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, kidney disability, GERD, hypertension, and vertigo. The claims are being reviewed due to new evidence received since the previous denial.

The Board has remanded the service connection issues of hypertension, a back condition, a heart condition, neuropathy of the arms, hands, and legs, dementia, and tinnitus due to pending issues related to cause of death.

The Board has granted service connection for prostatitis and denied service connection for ilioinguinal nerve surgery pain of the right lower extremity, sinusitis, and heart disability. Service connection is granted for prostatitis due to a current diagnosis related to in-service prostatitis/urethritis.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to April 2, 2013 was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The effective date for the grant of a 100 percent rating for CAD was also denied due to lack of factual ascertainability.,The Veteran's entitlement to SMC based on housebound status prior to April 2, 2013 was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered in the aggregate, limit his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has ordered additional examination and opinion regarding this issue.

The Veteran's right carotid stenosis is being remanded for further review by a medical examiner to determine if it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease and/or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from August 31, 2010 to May 31, 2012. The Board granted the TDIU rating for this period.

The Veteran's sleep disorder, bilateral hearing loss, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, and acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression and anxiety) are all currently rated.,The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected ischemic heart disease.