Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand three issues: the rating for ischemic heart disease, the PTSD rating, and the TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence or need for further evaluation.

The appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease status post myocardial infarction is being remanded due to a lack of compliance with the March 2015 Remand directives.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for a heart disorder, reopening of a claim for gingivitis, and increased rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease are pending.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease and a higher initial rating, finding that the Veteran's condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating or an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's heart disability was granted a 100% rating effective May 29, 2018. The claim for higher ratings prior to that date is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease of both lower extremities, and major depressive disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including kidney disorder, heart disorders, peripheral vascular diseases of various extremities, hypertension, and back disability, were not found to be service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD) from January 10, 2018. The Veteran previously had a 10 percent rating prior to that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disability is reopened and remanded to determine the etiology of his claimed condition, including as due to service-connected hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, heart disability, GSW residuals, and TBI residuals due to potential issues with medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and opinion regarding service connection for hypertension, including due to Agent Orange exposure and secondary to PTSD and/or CAD.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was productive of level I hearing acuity in the right ear and level II acuity in the left ear at its worse throughout the rating period on appeal.,The Veteran’s noncompensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is based on the results of the February 2012, July 2014, and December 2019 VA examinations. Based on the audiological test results, a compensable rating is not warranted for this time period.,The Veteran’s noncompensable rating for his service-connected left knee strain with degenerative joint disease is based on the results of the June 2019 VA examination. A new VA examination is needed to determine the present claim due to lack of range of motion testing during flare-ups and passive range of motion.,The Veteran’s noncompensable rating for his service-connected left knee strain with degenerative joint disease is based on the results of the June 2019 VA examination. A new VA examination is needed to determine the present claim due to lack of range of motion testing during flare-ups and passive range of motion.,The Veteran’s noncompensable rating for his service-connected skin disability (skin tags) is based on the results of the July 2019 VA examination. An addendum medical opinion is needed to assess the nature and etiology of his diagnosed skin tags.,The Veteran’s noncompensable rating for his service-connected joint pain (left elbow and/or shoulder) is based on the results of the June and July 2019 VA examinations. An addendum medical opinion is needed to assess the nature and etiology of his diagnosed left shoulder and left elbow disabilities.,The Veteran’s noncompensable rating for his service-connected left-hand disability is based on the results of the July 2019 VA examination. An addendum medical opinion is needed to determine whether the left-hand disability was incurred in service.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease rating was reduced from 60% to 30%, but the Board found this reduction improper and restored the original 60% rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents, including heart disability, sleep disorder, erectile dysfunction, hypogonadism, and peripheral neuropathy. The request is made to the Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) to review official military documents related to the USS Butte during the Vietnam War.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the following reasons: obtaining VA treatment records from June 2016 to present, requesting non-VA medical provider records (specifically Dr. Cinater), and completing a VA application for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical spine disability is dismissed. The claims for an increased rating for heart disability and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease (CAD) due to benzene exposure. The claims are being returned for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for a cardiovascular disability, including coronary artery disease (CAD), as the Veteran's current heart problems are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for a heart disability and gastrointestinal disorder, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support these claims.