Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 6, 2017.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease status post-myocardial infarction is rated at 100 percent since March 1, 2013. Special monthly compensation based on statutory housebound under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) is granted since August 13, 2013.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, and thus remands these issues.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 30 percent rating for ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease status post stent placement from September 1, 2018 to November 14, 2018 is granted.

The Veteran's CAD is being remanded for an updated examination to assess the current severity of his condition, and his TDIU claim is also being held in abeyance due to its interdependence with the rating issue.

The Veteran's candidiasis, bilateral hearing loss, and CAD have all been denied.,The Veteran's initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss has also been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease as due to herbicide exposure at the Korat RTAFB in Thailand.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, finding that there was no evidence of ischemia or coronary artery disease. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have any other conditions qualifying as presumptive under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e).

The Veteran's hypertension with cardiomegaly is rated at 20 percent, and a separate 30 percent rating for hypertensive heart disease is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease was denied for ratings in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The Veteran died due to congestive heart failure from coronary artery disease, and the Board found no fault on VA's part in providing care. The appeal is denied.

The appeal for the increased rating claim for tinnitus has been dismissed. The appeals for service connection of bilateral foot disability, initial disability rating in excess 30 percent for coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction, and compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss are REMANDED.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, arthritis, dyspnea, heart disorder, COPD, sleep apnea, GERD, and back disorder are not related to his active duty service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, left foot amputation, and disability ratings. The main reasons for remand include obtaining medical records from November 2011, scheduling a VA examination, and requesting an opinion regarding the effectiveness of the Veteran's prostheses.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for arthritis, COPD, heart disease, and prostate cancer to seek verification of in-service exposure to an herbicide agent. The Veteran's alleged exposure occurred during his active duty in Germany from April 1968 to April 1970.

The Board has denied service connection for glaucoma and hypertension, finding no causal relationship to the Veteran's service-connected conditions. Service connection for a heart disorder (left bundle branch block) is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's initial ratings for coronary artery disease (CAD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are granted, with a 60% rating for CAD prior to April 13, 2012, and a 70% rating for PTSD since August 19, 2014. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease was denied as there is no evidence of the condition during or after his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected cardiac arrhythmia, finding that the condition is asymptomatic and not related to his other diagnosed heart conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining records. The appeals are REMANDED.