Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for various conditions has been remanded due to the need for additional evaluations and examinations. The denial of a higher rating for coronary artery disease from December 1, 2011 to October 12, 2015 remains unchanged.

The Veteran's claim for eligibility for specially adapted housing due to service-connected disabilities was denied as he does not meet the regulatory requirement of a permanent and total service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disability, heart disorder, sleep apnea, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity. The Veteran's radiculopathy with atrophy, right lower extremity, was rated 10 percent; the rating for radiculopathy, left lower extremity, was also 10 percent.,The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder and found that the Veteran’s conditions were less likely than not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected adjustment disorder or bronchitis.

The Board has not fully addressed the issue of service connection for a heart disability due to depression and hysterectomy residuals, so it is being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for drug abuse and coronary artery disease (CAD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on four different conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) greater than 30 percent is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a VA heart examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to January 16, 2020, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 7005.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's heart disability is related to his service exposure to burn pits and particulate matter, despite tobacco use also being a risk factor.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the Veteran's heart disability, effective as of April 17, 2019. The right shoulder strain remains rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new examinations and assessments of his coronary artery disease.

The Veteran is seeking an effective date prior to October 8, 2013 for a 100% disability rating for his ischemic heart disease. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of his condition before that date.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, heart disease, a psychiatric disorder, and a bilateral eye disability as the evidence does not support that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's TDIU claim, but has remanded his claims for a rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease and in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus due to lack of action on his notice of disagreement.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an ischemic heart disease disability, finding that he does not have a current ischemic heart disease disability and has never had one during his claim and appeal period.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to their death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart disability, OSA, and right foot disability due to incomplete records and insufficient opinions in the current record. The Veteran will need to provide updated VA treatment records and complete a VA Form 21-4142 for non-VA medical providers. A new VA examination is needed for each of his conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation by reason of being permanently housebound or needing aid and attendance. The combined rating is insufficient to warrant a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing eligibility as they do not result in a permanent and total disability due to loss or use of both lower extremities, blindness in both eyes with only light perception, or other enumerated conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions due to the death of the appellant.