Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and coronary artery disease were denied. For bilateral hearing loss, the current assigned ratings accurately reflect his disability picture during each time frame. For coronary artery disease, the preponderance of evidence is against a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to November 7, 2019, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD, hypertension, a heart condition, and a lower back disability. The claims are currently in remand status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer, ischemic heart disease, and prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure. The appeal is based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's initial rating for valvular heart disease with aortic insufficiency and coronary artery disease was granted at 30 percent from April 18, 2017 to May 17, 2017. His initial rating for supraventricular arrhythmia was also granted at 30 percent effective August 1, 2017.

The Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted a rating of 20 percent for the period prior to October 25, 2019 and a rating of 30 percent starting from that date. The Veteran's coronary artery disease remains at a 60 percent rating. For the period prior to May 19, 2015, the Veteran is granted TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for COPD, CAD, aortic aneurysm, and squamous cell carcinoma due to inadequate examinations and lack of confirmation of in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, tinnitus, and ischemic heart disease, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of angina, nonobstructive coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for kidney failure has been granted. The Board finds new and material evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the Veteran’s claim, which is raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,The Veteran's duodenal ulcer is currently rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 7305. The Board has determined that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are primarily continuous abdominal pain.

The Board has remanded the case due to a determination that the appellant was not recognized as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for VA benefit purposes. The matter is now being reviewed again, with further development needed to determine if the Veteran served in the Republic of Vietnam considering the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019.

The Veteran's heart disability is denied as not related to service. From May 22, 2017, the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted with a 20% rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete records, including an EKG and echocardiogram. The Veteran's heart conditions, including carotid heart disease and hypertension, need further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 18, 2018.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at a maximum of 30 percent prior to March 4, 2019.,The Veteran's CAD is currently rated at 60 percent and the Board has found that this rating is not higher than what is warranted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a heart condition related to his military service and denied his claim. The issue of service connection for a transient ischemic attack (TIA) is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD is dismissed.,Service connection for coronary artery disease, to include heart attacks, is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and a heart disability due to incomplete examination and conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran's blood pressure readings from June 1997 to October 1997 are being reviewed by an examiner to determine if they meet the criteria for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and examination, particularly regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral great toe disability, bilateral knee disability, scars, lumbar spine disability, and heart condition have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened and granted.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show symptoms warranting a higher rating, and his CAD does not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.