Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and left leg amputation, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues of service connection for coronary artery disease and respiratory condition are pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral upper and lower neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, and heart disease due to additional development being required. The Veteran must provide more information about specific documents he believes exist in order for VA to attempt to obtain them.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding hypertension, migraines, ischemic heart disease, and the increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD, CAD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.,A rating of 50 percent for the combined effect of all service-connected disabilities (PTSD, CAD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) is granted.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was granted a rating of 30 percent from September 25, 2009 to February 27, 2017. From February 28, 2017, the Veteran's condition is rated at 60 percent. The decision also denied any increase in rating for coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's hearing loss and service-connected conditions have been remanded for further development.,The Veteran is seeking increased evaluations for his service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was denied as the evidence did not show any of the manifestations required for a higher evaluation, with the most recent VA examination showing a workload greater than five METs but not greater than seven METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope.

The Veteran died from severe coronary artery disease. The Appellant filed a claim for DIC benefits on May 4, 2015, which was granted with an effective date of May 4, 2014. There is no evidence prior to the Veteran's death that he intended to file a claim for service connection related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of ischemic heart disease, chronic kidney disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and prostate cancer as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his coronary artery disease (CAD) post stent placement is granted, with an initial rating of 60 percent from September 1, 2016 through January 24, 2020. The issue of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for shell fragment wound (SFW) residuals of the left submandibular and lower right paracervical areas with retained foreign bodies is denied.,The Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD) post stent placement was rated based on its severity, frequency, and duration. The Board found that his condition did not meet criteria for a higher 100 percent rating due to the absence of chronic congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction less than 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to November 20, 2014. His TDIU claim is denied.

An effective date of March 3, 2015, for a 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted.,A 100 percent rating as of June 14, 2017, but no earlier, for CAD is granted.,An effective date of June 14, 2017, but no earlier, for the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate is granted.,A rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD for accrued benefits is denied.,A rating higher than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II (DMII), with erectile dysfunction, for accrued benefits is denied.,Rating higher than 30 percent prior to August 9, 2019, and higher than 60 percent thereafter for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension for accrued benefits is denied.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is granted service connection, while his right ear hearing loss and other conditions are denied. Service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease (CAD) is remanded.

The Veteran's entitlement to a higher rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) was granted from February 11, 2020 to June 30, 2020. The effective date of the grant is not specified.

The Board denied eligibility for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a December 2011 rating decision because there was no final decision addressing the merits of the service connection claim.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for coronary artery disease, increased rating for osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, and increased rating for osteoarthritis of the right shoulder. Additional development is required to address outstanding VA treatment records, obtain Workman's Compensation records, and provide a VA opinion regarding the Veteran's heart claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease does not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent, as it is not manifested by specific symptoms such as dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 50%; or evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilation on electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, or X-ray.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his time at U-Tapao RTAFB. However, the claim for erectile dysfunction secondary to the heart condition is denied as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, multiple myeloma, and diabetes mellitus type II due to a lack of evidence showing exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The Board found no direct or presumptive service connection based on Agent Orange exposure.