Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of patent ductus arteriosus repair were found to have contributed substantially and materially to his hypertensive heart disease, which was the cause of death. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to herbicide exposure, but has remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, chronic renal disease, and ischemic heart disease with hypertensive cardiovascular disease due to insufficient opinions regarding whether these conditions are secondary to service-connected PTSD. The decision on hypertension could significantly impact the other issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his mental health condition and heart issues, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on several conditions have been dismissed. The claims of reopening a psychiatric disorder and hypertension have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left ankle and heart disabilities have been dismissed as the Veteran opted into the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) system.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) was denied, as the evidence did not show symptoms commensurate with a 100 percent rating. The claim for total disability based on individual unemployability was also denied due to the Veteran maintaining gainful employment throughout the period of appeal.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and Hodgkin's lymphoma, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure during the Veteran's service in Korea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran was presumed to be exposed to herbicide agents during his Vietnam Era service aboard the USS Rainier in the territorial waters of Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease and PTSD was denied. For CAD, the Board found that the evidence did not show symptoms warranting a rating in excess of 10 percent from July 1, 2009 to June 20, 2017. For PTSD, the Board concluded that prior to July 3, 2013, the Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating.

Your claim for a higher rating and TDIU has been fully granted. The maximum schedular evaluation of 100% is in effect since October 15, 2016.

Throughout the appellate period, the Veteran's coronary artery disease has not warranted a rating in excess of 30 percent.,Prior to September 6, 2018, the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, finding that there is no nexus between his current heart conditions and service.

The Veteran's heart condition, following coronary artery bypass surgery, is rated at a 60 percent since August 18, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, including claimed aortic valve disorder and ischemic heart disease, due to herbicide exposure during his service in Vietnam. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder other than ischemic heart disease prior to April 27, 2010 and TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to August 24, 2011. The Veteran's appeal was based on the presumption of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective May 1, 2013 due to his last day of employment being April 30, 2013. His service-connected heart condition and headaches prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of adequate medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lung disorder, coronary artery disease, and spine disorder due to incomplete medical records. The Veteran's STRs are needed for a proper evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and coronary artery disease (CAD), both of which are presumed to be due to exposure to herbicides during military service.,The Veteran's service records show he served in Thailand, where he worked on C-123 aircrafts that were used to spray Agent Orange. This exposure is considered presumptive for the development of CAD.