Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including heart disability, bilateral cataracts, hypothyroidism, hypertension, sleep apnea, and PVD of the lower extremities, are not related to his military service or exposure to non-ionizing radiation. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current allergies, left shoulder disability, right knee disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability are not service-connected. The heart disability and hypertension have also been denied.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 22, 2012 for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease. The Veteran's other service-connected conditions do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and a cervical spine disorder have been remanded. The TDIU claim is also pending.

The claim of entitlement to service connection for major depressive disorder has been dismissed as the condition is already in effect.,Service connection is granted for hypertension, with a current diagnosis and continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a head disorder, neck disorder, low back disorder, heart disorder, DM, peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction. The VA is directed to obtain all relevant records and schedule the Veteran for additional examinations.

Service connection for cardiomyopathy, COPD, and renal disease claimed as related to herbicide exposure or contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is denied.,The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any relevant complaints or diagnoses. His current conditions are attributed to his history of cocaine abuse, smoking, hypertension, and pre-existing kidney issues.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The appeal for an effective date prior to January 29, 2004 for CAD and the TDIU claim are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to November 4, 2019 do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease with coronary artery disease and two coronary artery bypass grafts is granted a 100% rating since January 31, 2003, and SMC is granted since January 31, 2003.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for IHD due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and percutaneous coronary intervention has been rated at 60 percent prior to December 23, 2019. This rating is granted.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, diabetes mellitus type II, and coronary artery disease (CAD) as the evidence did not show a relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date prior to January 13, 2012, for service connection of coronary artery disease has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied service connection for respiratory and heart disorders, finding no evidence of a nexus between the current conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability and diabetes mellitus, type II due to insufficient efforts by VA in verifying his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes did not prevent him from securing or maintaining a gainful occupation prior to July 5, 2018.