Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's cause of death, respiratory and cardiac arrest, was found to be related to his service-connected disabilities. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is not related to active service or any incident of service, including as due to in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not related to active service or any incident of service, including as due to in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD), including as due to in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has granted service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, finding that it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension. The decision also grants service connection for hypertensive heart disease.

The Veteran's heart condition (claimed as ischemic heart disease) is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis. Service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted. The back and lower extremity conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability and an acquired psychiatric disability due to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune are being remanded for further development as the current evidence of record lacks adequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's spouse is seeking an earlier effective date for service connection for atherosclerotic coronary artery disease with hypertension, history of myocardial infarction and unstable angina (CAD) for purposes of accrued benefits. The Board denied this request as the earliest possible effective date has already been awarded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's heart disabilities, including hypertensive heart disease, are related to his presumed in-service exposure to tactical herbicides.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, gastrointestinal disability, right knee disability, and heart condition due to incomplete records and need for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease (IHD) is rated at 60 percent from April 22, 2011 to December 20, 2011 and at 100 percent thereafter. The Board granted an increased rating for the period prior to November 20, 2017.,The Veteran was also awarded special monthly compensation based on need of aid and attendance due to his service-connected IHD.

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding SSA records that need to be obtained for a full review.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder with depression is granted. The claim for service connection for coronary artery disease with two stents, also claimed as ischemic cardiomyopathy, is granted. The claim for a total rating due to individual unemployability is remanded.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at a 100 percent disability rating prior to January 1, 2017. The Veteran's atrial fibrillation is rated at a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 60 percent for ischemic heart disease prior to May 20, 2016 as the evidence did not show symptoms that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran seeks increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease was denied as there is no evidence of its occurrence during service or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for CAD prior to January 17, 2014 was denied. From January 17, 2014 to October 15, 2017, the Veteran received a 30% rating for CAD.,From October 16, 2017 to November 13, 2019, the Veteran's CAD was rated at 30%. From November 14, 2019 onwards, the Veteran's CAD is not entitled to a higher than 60% rating.

The Veteran's duodenal ulcers are related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The cardiovascular disability claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence on herbicide exposure. The erectile dysfunction claim is also remanded as no opinion was provided regarding its relationship with prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for CAD, status post coronary bypass graft prior to December 2, 2019 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for CAD, status post coronary bypass graft from December 2, 2019 was also denied.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for prostate cancer and ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure, as these conditions were already established in a previous decision. The cervical spine and low back disability claims are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's diagnosed respiratory disorder and heart disability are at least as likely as not due to toxin exposure at Camp Lejeune, including TCE.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is denied.,Heart disability, hypertension, prostate disability (status-post surgery), and diabetes mellitus are all remanded for further development.