Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's entitlement to a 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted as of March 12, 2019. The claims for service connection for dizzy spells, GERD, headaches, and hiatal hernia are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evaluation of the Veteran's heart disorder related theories, including its relation to Agent Orange exposure and service-connected PTSD or hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that there is no direct evidence showing IHD had its onset during active service and that any service-connected disability did not contribute to or cause his IHD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, as they only impacted physical acts of employment and not mental ones.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to June 4, 2012 for TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 are being remanded due to their inextricability with the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's service records do not show any complaints, treatment, or diagnosis of a heart disability. The current medical evidence does not establish the presence of such a condition.,There is no documented history of diarrhea during service or in the post-service period that would support a finding of a chronic disability manifested by diarrhea.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, as his conditions were not related to his military service. The Board found no evidence of herbicide agent exposure during service in Okinawa and concluded that the Veteran did not have type 2 diabetes or heart disorders incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for heart condition, to include as secondary to service-connected hypertension. The case is being returned for further development and an additional VA opinion.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 60 percent for arteriosclerotic heart disease prior to March 7, 2018. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to August 1, 2014 is being remanded and referred to VA’s Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 15, 2017 for the grant of SMC based on aid and attendance due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial ratings for service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to January 14, 2010 were denied. Ratings in excess of 30 percent from May 1, 2010 to February 27, 2016 and in excess of 60 percent from February 28, 2016 to October 28, 2016, and from February 1, 2017 to June 6, 2018 were also denied.

The Veteran requested to withdraw appeals for increased disability ratings for arteriosclerotic heart disease, left shoulder subacromial subdeltoid bursitis with glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis, and right elbow epicondylitis.,The Veteran also requested to withdraw the appeal for service connection for hypertension. The claim is reopened due to new evidence received since the final September 2010 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability, including ischemic heart disease, finding that the Veteran does not have an ischemic heart disease and his valvular heart disease is congenital. The Board concluded that there was no evidence of aggravation or superimposed injury in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases due to his various conditions, including gout, low back issues, knee problems, achilles tendonitis, diabetes, blood pressure disorders, left Achilles condition, heart condition, sinusitis, and GERD. The Veteran will need to undergo additional examinations and obtain addendum medical opinions regarding his mental health, left Achilles condition, diabetes, sinusitis, blood pressure disorder, and heart disability.

For the period on appeal from March 2, 2018, a 100 percent evaluation for the Veteran’s service-connected coronary artery disease (heart disability) is granted.,Effective March 2, 2018, special monthly compensation (SMC) at the house bound rate under 38 U.S.C. § 1114 (s), is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease has been denied as there is no evidence of congestive heart failure, left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 30 percent, or other criteria warranting a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of bladder cancer has also been denied as the medical evidence does not show urine leakage requiring use of an appliance or absorbent materials.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for arthritis in the left knee, arthritis in the right knee, sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the left foot, and peripheral neuropathy of the right foot due to the appellant's withdrawal of these appeals. The appeal for an increased rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is dismissed as it was withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD with alcohol abuse and CAD is remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for a current examination.

The Board has remanded two issues: the claim for a heart disability, which is secondary to Grave’s disease, and the claim for an increased rating for degeneration of the spine. The Veteran needs additional VA examinations to address these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service at Udorn RTAFB placed him on or near the base perimeter, and therefore presumed exposure to herbicides. As a result of this exposure, the Veteran's coronary artery disease is granted as service-connected.