Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, including ischemic heart disease and coronary artery disease, due to the need for further development regarding the interpretation of VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for narcolepsy with cataplexy is denied as there is no current disability. The Board finds the preponderance of evidence against this claim.,Service connection is granted for right ear hearing loss due to aggravation during active duty, but not related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disability and CAD, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active military service. The issue of Gulf War Syndrome is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in the dismissal of the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim to service connection for a right foot disability, sleep apnea, heart disability (coronary artery disease), and headaches has been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder, heart disorder, bilateral eye disorder, and diabetes mellitus, type II were denied. The issues of service connection for a kidney disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and hypertension are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU is being remanded due to the need to obtain VA treatment records prior to February 2015 and private healthcare provider records. The issues of evaluation in excess of certain percentages for coronary artery disease, as well as entitlement to TDIU before April 8, 2017 (excluding periods when SMC at the housebound rate was awarded), are being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, finding that there is not a causal relationship between his military service and his current condition.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided were inadequate and requires new examinations to determine the nature and severity of the Veteran's bronchitis disability, as well as whether any heart condition is related to his service-connected bronchitis. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's heart disability claim was dismissed due to his death, as the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of a pending claim after the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's initial rating for CAD in excess of 60 percent prior to July 21, 2011, and in excess of 30 percent from July 21, 2011, to September 10, 2018, is denied. The remaining issues related to eligibility for specially adapted housing, SMC based on loss of use of the legs, and financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment are also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II, but has remanded his claim for service connection of traumatic osteoarthritis of the right ankle.

The Board has determined that there is at least a 50% chance (equipoise) that the Veteran's OSA is related to his service-connected CAD, and thus grants service connection for OSA.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease with hypertensive heart disease and myocardial infarction, as well as hypertension, are now effective from December 17, 2020. Additionally, the Veteran is granted a TDIU from December 1, 2018 through December 16, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim for ASHD is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service, while his claim for bilateral hearing loss requires an addendum opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and prostate cancer, both presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during the Veteran's active duty in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart disability, cervical spine disability, right and left upper extremity neurological disabilities, bilateral shoulder and hand disabilities, and bilateral hip disability due to inextricably intertwined issues. The VA must obtain addendum opinions from the February 2021 VA examiner regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for a heart disability and a medical opinion on whether his current hip disability is secondary to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine condition.

The Board has determined that the VA opinions are inadequate and remands for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion from a VA examiner to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for CAD and cardiac arrhythmia as secondary to PTSD, hypertension as secondary to PTSD, and a CNS disability as secondary to CAD and cardiac arrhythmia. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand, and thus service connection for his heart disability cannot be established.