Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for ischemic heart disease, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for a back disability. The appeal for service connection for basal cell carcinoma is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) due to herbicide exposure is granted.,An initial disability rating of 20 percent for erectile dysfunction (ED) is granted, effective from June 24, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for lung disorder and heart disorder due to potential issues with causation and aggravation, as well as a need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and heart disease are found to be related to his service-connected PTSD, leading to a grant of service connection for both conditions. The Veteran is also granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, anxiety, and various musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 8, 2010. The Board has granted the TDIU from that date.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease is granted. The psychiatric disorder claim and SMC based on aid and attendance are both remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current cardiac and gastrointestinal disabilities and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if any of the Veteran's heart conditions are related to his service, including herbicide agent exposure. The examiner is also asked to consider all relevant evidence of record, such as medical records and treatment notes.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee disabilities, diabetes mellitus (DM), and ischemic heart disease (IHD) due to chemical exposure. The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40%.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease, acoustic neuroma, and right ear nerve damage. The Veteran's claims were based on exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, but the VA clinicians found no evidence linking these conditions to that exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected disabilities. The VA examiner did not provide sufficient rationale for their opinions, and failed to consider the Veteran's lay statements and medical articles.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart, kidney, and liver disabilities due to their relationship with his service-connected tuberculosis. The VA will obtain additional medical opinions to determine if these conditions were caused or aggravated by his tuberculosis.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for a heart condition, finding insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran's conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including skin disease, bladder condition, heart disorder, and COPD. The issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to an error in not considering exposure to commercial herbicides used during the Veteran's active duty.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim for the period prior to October 3, 2013 due to insufficient evidence and a lack of adequate notice. The Veteran is required to provide additional information and evidence related to his employment status and any private treatment records from before that date.

The Board has remanded the claim for ischemic heart disease due to a lack of records and further medical evaluation is needed.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease with status-post coronary bypass graft was evaluated at a 60 percent rating, but the Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as he did not meet the criteria for chronic congestive heart failure or left ventricular ejection fraction of less than 30 percent.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The initial rating for left ear hearing loss and the claim for coronary heart disease (claimed as ischemic heart disease) are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The foot disorder claim is also remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a heart disorder. The appeal as to the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, COPD (to include as secondary to a heart disorder), and bronchitis is REMANDED.