Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's heart disorder, including dilated cardiomyopathy, is related to exposure to herbicide agents and/or his service-connected PTSD. The VA clinician needs to review the June 2020 coronary angiography findings and provide an opinion on whether the Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for ischemic heart disease or coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease alone does not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, manifested as chronic congestive heart failure, warranted a rating of 100 percent throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's heart disability, tinnitus, and stroke have been rated at 10% each. The Board has determined that the cumulative effect of these conditions does not render him unemployable for the period prior to February 14, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, a heart condition, foot conditions (pes planus, plantar fasciitis, neuropathy), and peripheral neuropathy. The Board also found that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active duty service, including due to tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease has been granted a 100% evaluation since October 2, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment, and therefore a TDIU is denied.

The Board has granted restoration of service connection for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Right and Left Lower Extremity Peripheral Neuropathy, and Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) due to herbicide agent exposure at Udorn RTAFB.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to September 20, 2016, and a rating in excess of 30 percent from September 20, 2016, to January 21, 2020, for coronary artery disease was denied. The claim for entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to August 25, 2015, was also denied.

The Board has denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and remanded the issues of gastrointestinal disorders, GERD, bilateral eye disorder, thyroid disorder, and skin disorder due to potential exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to clarify the nature and etiology of the Veteran's heart disabilities, including whether any preexisting conditions are service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish a link between any past or present heart condition and service or service-connected diabetes mellitus.

Prior to April 1, 2021, the Veteran's heart disability was rated at 30 percent.,As of April 1, 2021, the Veteran's heart disability is now rated at 60 percent.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease prior to January 19, 2017 was rated at 10 percent and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's painful scar associated with his coronary artery bypass graft is currently rated at 10 percent and denied a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, heart condition, and vertigo as secondary to service-connected acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's dental disability for treatment purposes is denied as there was no in-service trauma or chronic condition related to service. The heart and erectile dysfunction claims are both considered unknown due to insufficient evidence.,There is no clear indication of a current heart disability, and the claim cannot be established as secondary to a dental disability or erectile dysfunction.

The Board has denied service connection for heart disorder, hypertension, a disability claimed as rheumatoid arthritis and/or tendonitis, prostate cancer, and an eye disorder (claimed as wearing glasses). The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's back disorder and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin condition, heart condition, seizure disorder, and headache condition due to inadequate development of evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral heel spurs, right knee disability, and heart condition (mitral valve prolapse) due to inadequate opinions regarding secondary service connection. Further development is needed.

The Veteran's heart disability is rated at 60 percent since February 24, 2021. The rating is based on the METs level of greater than 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope.