Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The appeal for a burial allowance and DIC benefits based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is remanded due to inadequate development. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding the effect of the Veteran's service-connected heart disability on his response to blunt force trauma.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for coronary artery disease was reduced from 60 percent to 10 percent, effective September 1, 2015. The appeal is restored.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for coronary heart disease prior to June 20, 2016, and his TDIU claim from August 6, 2013 to January 5, 2014, were both denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful employment, and the Board denied his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's CAD, lumbar spine disability, and hypothyroidism are all rated at their maximum allowable levels. The Veteran does not have a compensable rating for GERD with hiatal hernia or left ear hearing loss.,VA has determined that the Veteran's conditions do not warrant ratings in excess of those currently assigned.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to June 25, 2021 was denied as there is no evidence showing that he met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of various conditions, including low back disability, right inguinal hernia repair, GERD, diabetes mellitus, CAD, neck disability, hypertension, hemorrhoids, renal failure, and colitis.

The Board denied service connection for skin cancer, coronary artery disease status post triple heart bypass (heart disorder), diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The evidence did not show a direct relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.,Service treatment records were negative for any complaints or diagnoses related to skin cancer, heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for coronary artery disease has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, but has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure in Okinawa.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for coronary artery disease with bypass surgery has been granted, with a 60% rating from January 25, 2012 to February 12, 2012. The appeal is not about service connection but rather the severity of the condition.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type 2, finding that the evidence is in equipoise regarding exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and rating issues have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal disorder (to include irritable bowel syndrome), heart disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board found no evidence linking his disabilities to military service.

The claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease is remanded due to uncertainty about the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange. The case will be reopened and additional development will be conducted.

The Veteran's claim for a 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease with Prinzmetal's angina from July 7, 2015 to June 9, 2016 is granted. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for CAD from June 10, 2016 onward is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of coronary artery disease, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed. The appeal for TDIU has been granted.

The Veteran was granted TDIU from January 3, 2019 to August 1, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found the Veteran unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his coronary artery disease. However, the Veteran's combined disability rating after August 1, 2019 did not meet the criteria for TDIU under the schedular requirements.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder and diabetes mellitus.