Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently bedridden, thus he is denied special monthly compensation based on housebound status or permanent need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tenosynovitis of the biceps tendon and a heart disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support these conditions were incurred in or related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral hands, upper extremities, and lower extremities have been granted. The TDIU claim is remanded due to being inextricably intertwined with other pending claims.

The Veteran's CAD and right knee replacement are currently rated at 60 percent, but the Board denied any increase in ratings for these conditions prior to January 4, 2016, and from September 1, 2016, to November 17, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and COPD due to exposure to herbicide agents. The decision also includes a request for additional medical evidence and an opinion from a VA examiner regarding the relationship between the Veteran's COPD and in-service exposures.

The Veteran's appeal for right knee disability is dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the issue. The Board has remanded several other issues including peripheral neuropathy, respiratory disability, sleep apnea, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, skin disability (PFB), bilateral kidney disability, hearing loss, insomnia, depression, erectile dysfunction, and eye conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to incomplete records and inadequate VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional examinations and evaluations due to inadequate previous VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to the Veteran's unavailability for VA examinations. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of respiratory disability, hypertension, heart disease, and residual surgical scars.

The VA denied a higher disability rating for the service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the current level of left ventricular ejection fraction (66%) does not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

The Veteran's death is being remanded due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether ischemic heart disease, presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam and exposure to Agent Orange, contributed to his cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives and a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's causes of death.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to be caused by his in-service exposure to herbicide agents, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his coronary artery disease and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back condition, COPD, and heart condition due to new and material evidence. The cases are now remanded for further development.

The Board denied an earlier effective date prior to September 4, 2013 for a rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Board denied an initial increased rating for CAD and remanded the issues of entitlement to separate compensable ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, as well as the issue of entitlement to a higher rating for diabetic nephropathy.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD) as it is aggravated by his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, hypothyroidism, ischemic heart disease, bilateral hearing loss, degenerative disc disease, tinnitus, and left-hand fracture, prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.