Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to November 20, 2008; in excess of 30 percent from November 20, 2008, to March 28, 2010; and in excess of 10 percent from March 29, 2010, for service-connected heart disability due to outstanding records and a need for a more contemporaneous examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease was previously rated as 10 percent and has been severed from service connection. The claim for an increase in this condition is denied due to legal disqualification after severance of service connection.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to August 31, 2010 for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease was denied. The Board found that there is no indication of a denial in any decision issued between September 25, 1985 and May 3, 1989.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected ischemic heart disease was also denied. The criteria for a higher initial rating were not met as the disability is solely productive of no more than a workload of 7 to 10 METs and left ventricular ejection fraction of 55 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 4, 2014, and in excess of 30 percent therefrom for ischemic heart disease (IHD), and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) prior to July 12, 2013. The Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations was the basis for denying these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to exposure to herbicide agents, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service along the DMZ in Korea. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any chronic kidney disability, intestinal bacterial infection, gout, erectile dysfunction, left breast disability, eye disability, or heart disability. Post-service medical records also lack evidence of these conditions.,There is no indication that the Veteran’s current conditions are related to his active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, liver cancer, colon cancer, stroke residuals, heart disorder, blood clot disorder, vertigo, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The remand includes obtaining medical opinions to address the nature and etiology of these conditions in relation to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus, type II due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, tinnitus, vertigo, and ED based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of substantial compliance with a previous remand directive. The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is being returned to the RO for further examination and readjudication.

The Veteran's service connection claim for plantar fasciitis is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of plantar fasciitis related to his military service, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, with all reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.,Service connection for GERD and Hiatal Hernia is denied due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is granted due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The right ankle condition claim is denied.

The claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease was denied due to a lack of evidence showing the Veteran had current ischemic heart disease or that it was related to his military service. The September 2012 rating decision is final, and new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's claim for a heart disorder has been reopened and service connection is granted.,Service connection for PTSD is granted based on the Veteran's reported in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.,Specifically, the Veteran needs to be examined for his claimed psychiatric disabilities, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, glaucoma, headaches, erectile dysfunction, hearing loss, and any other conditions that may have arisen as a result of service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of coronary artery disease was denied. The Board also found that the case should be remanded for a TDIU determination due to the examiner not considering the impact of nonservice-connected disabilities on employment.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to January 2, 2019, and a subsequent increase to 30 percent as of January 2, 2019, for Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease (Ischemic Heart Disease) was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for higher ratings at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service connection claims for myelodysplastic syndrome, chronic kidney disease, and heart condition have been granted. The issues of higher ratings for back conditions are remanded.