Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding his left ankle, left knee, and heart conditions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused him to be unable to work, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on his combined rating of at least 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and heart disorder. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the issue of an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was denied from May 5, 2013 to January 12, 2017. From January 12, 2017, the Veteran is granted a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was denied, as the evidence did not show more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 30 to 50 percent. The TDIU claim was also denied due to the combined disability rating being less than 60% and the Veteran's inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to schedule a VA examination for heart condition, and the Veteran's failure to report for the scheduled examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to address whether VA's duty to assist had been satisfied, specifically regarding post-service treatment records. The appellant and Court noted that the Veteran had post-service treatment records still needing to be obtained.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease as there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during the Veteran's service.

The Board denied service connection for otitis media, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability and that any ear problems were not related to his active service or a service-connected condition.,For ischemic heart disease (IHD), the Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and concluded that IHD was not caused by service.

The Veteran's heart disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran was previously granted a 30 percent rating for his service-connected heart disability. The case is now being remanded to reassess whether a higher rating should be assigned.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and major depressive disorder, have caused him to be unemployable prior to June 23, 2011. The Board has ordered a remand for an addendum medical opinion regarding the impact of his MDD on employment from March 2008 to June 2011, and then referred the case to the VA Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular TDIU consideration.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 60 percent for the Veteran's coronary artery disease from November 1, 2010 to February 20, 2020. The decision denies any higher ratings prior to and after this period.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) is denied as there is no evidence of PVD within one year of separation from active duty, and the condition is not related to herbicide exposure or a service-connected disability. The secondary service connection claim for PVD due to CAD is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hyperlipidemia has been denied as it is not considered a disability for VA purposes.,Issues related to bilateral hearing loss, chronic obstructive lung disease (claimed as COPD), heart disorder, toe fungus, osteoarthrosis of the left leg, osteoarthrosis of the right leg, and erectile dysfunction are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial 30 percent rating for migraine headaches has been increased to a maximum of 50 percent, but only subject to the rules and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits. The Board also remanded her claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim for service connection for migraines is granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for migraines. From August 4, 2014 onward, the Veteran is also entitled to special monthly compensation (SMC) under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s). The claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for glaucoma, hypertension, coronary artery disease secondary to hypertension, and kidney disease secondary to hypertension.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's dementia was not related to service and is denied.,Prior to May 22, 2020, the Veteran's ischemic heart disease did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is at least as likely as not related to military service. The claim for ischemic heart disease was also granted based on presumed exposure to herbicides during service.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease was granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service.