Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service connection claim for a skin condition is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a skin disability.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating prior to April 2, 2007 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for valvular heart disease and a rating in excess of 40 percent for spondylosis of the thoracolumbar spine due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's claim for service connection is pending, while his claim for increased rating remains under review.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's current heart disability was incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have any documented complaints, diagnoses, or treatment of a heart condition during service and that the symptoms began after separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and other conditions were not incurred or aggravated during his military service. The appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his in-service exposures.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 60 percent for coronary artery disease from December 5, 2001 to December 18, 2002.

The Board has remanded the claims for erectile dysfunction, gastrointestinal disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, right ankle disorder, cold injury residuals in the lower extremities, low back disability, and heart disability due to incomplete service records.,The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder and sleep apnea are being remanded as they may be related to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board also directed that an opinion should be obtained on whether the Veteran’s hypertension is secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for cold injury residuals in the lower extremities and right ankle disorder are being remanded as they may be related to his service-connected low back disability. The Board also directed that an opinion should be obtained on whether the Veteran’s heart disability is secondary to his hypertension.,The Veteran's claims of entitlement to a higher rating for right shoulder bursitis and degenerative joint disease prior to December 27, 2019, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter are being remanded due to incomplete service records. The Board directed that an examination should be obtained to estimate the functional loss during flare-ups.,The Veteran's claims for heart disability and hypertension are also being remanded as they may be related to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and ratings related to hearing loss, sleep apnea, coronary artery disease with stable angina, and PTSD was dismissed due to the death of the appellant before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied. An effective date of April 18, 2012 has been granted for a temporary total rating due to surgery convalescence.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for coronary artery disease and hemorrhoids have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and needs further examination for both ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, lumbar strain/myositis, and left knee condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent, coronary artery disease (CAD) at 30 percent, and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities at 20 percent. The appeal for higher ratings on these conditions has been granted.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease and coronary artery disease are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of exposure to herbicides or a link between the condition and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of ischemic heart disease was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for ischemic heart disease due to incomplete information and need for further medical examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart disability and a finger disability, finding that the evidence does not support a relationship to service or any other theory of entitlement.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his heart disability was rated at 100% from May 22, 2009 to August 31, 2009. For the period excluding this time frame, he did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU and referral to the AOJ for extraschedular consideration is denied.

The appeal is dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for further development, including obtaining updated VA and/or private treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the cases of ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service herbicide exposure. The Veteran's fellow service members reported seeing him in Vietnam, but verification is needed.

The Veteran's CAD and peripheral neuropathy are being remanded for further evaluation due to the Board not providing adequate reasons in bases in its adjudication of these disabilities.