Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2020

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

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) and tinnitus, as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The case is now pending further development.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of January 11, 2009 for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and has reopened the service connection claim for a heart condition. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an opinion on whether the Veteran's heart disorder is related to his in-service herbicide exposure, and also for clarification on whether the Veteran's atrial fibrillation or other heart disability was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus qualify for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) for aid and attendance. However, he does not meet the criteria for SMC based on housebound status due to his remaining disabilities.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for coronary artery disease is granted, and the issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to May 1, 2012 is dismissed as moot.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for astrocytoma grade three glioma, rating reduction for coronary artery disease from 30 percent to 10 percent, and a higher rating for coronary artery disease.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes, both presumed due to herbicide agent exposure during the Veteran's period of service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, arthritis, diverticulosis, allergies, coronary artery disease (CAD), and skin cancer have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding increased ratings for left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as coronary artery disease. The decision is due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating for ischemic heart disease (CAD) and TDIU prior to August 26, 2016 due to outstanding private treatment records and inaccurate instructions in a December 2019 Deferred Rating Decision. The Veteran needs to authorize VA to request any private records relevant to the issues on appeal, and undergo an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the current severity of his service-connected CAD.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for heart condition and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further medical opinions. The issues include sleep apnea, heart disability, neurogenic bladder disability, and sexual dysfunction all potentially related to service-connected somatic symptom disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed because granting the appealed issues would not result in any accrued monies owed, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected due to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam.,The Veteran's heart condition (atrial flutter) is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with effective date of July 1, 2020. The conditions were found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease was granted at a 30 percent level prior to August 25, 2009. Since then, the rating has been denied in excess of 60 percent. The TDIU claim was also granted prior to November 2, 2010.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Dr. Bowling and Shoals Hospital, and providing a VA examiner's opinion on whether the Veteran’s right hand scars are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease contributed to his death in May 2013, and thus grants service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of claudication and TDIU were denied as there was no current disorder shown, and the medical evidence did not support a link between his service-connected IHD and these conditions. The rating for scars associated with IHD was granted at 20 percent.