Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Board has ordered additional development due to the lack of VA treatment records and the absence of a September 15, 2020 VA examination report. The case is being returned for these actions.

The Board has granted reopening of service connection for right hand, left hand, right foot, and left foot cold injury residuals. Service connection is also granted for coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and coronary artery disease rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment since March 30, 2011. Effective February 22, 2013, the Board granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his unemployability was due to nonservice-connected disabilities such as COPD, obesity, and bilateral knee disabilities, rather than service-connected CAD.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing and home adaptation grant is granted due to his permanent and total disability rating from Parkinson's disease. The claim for automobile or other conveyance benefits is also granted as the service-connected disabilities result in actual loss of use of both lower extremities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial evaluation for his coronary artery disease with unstable angina and ventricular arrhythmia s/p myocardial infarction has been withdrawn, thus the claim is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical examination in determining the Veteran's METs level for his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical examination in determining the Veteran's METs level for his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was denied prior to June 20, 2019. However, beginning on June 20, 2019, the Veteran is now rated at 30 percent for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for DMII, IHD, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been remanded due to new evidence received since previous decisions. The preponderance of the evidence does not support finding that he has these conditions.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for ischemic heart disease, to include coronary artery disease (CAD), was denied for the period from May 8, 2002 to April 22, 2015. ,From April 23, 2015 forward, a rating of 60 percent for ischemic heart disease, to include CAD, is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's heart, cancer, and tumor disabilities. The claims are now pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since January 1, 2010.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral spine pain with degenerative disc disease and remanded other issues. Additional development is required to address all claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to their schedular ratings, and his employment history suggests he is capable of securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the service connection of cardiovascular disorders.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) was granted, and he is now rated at 30 percent. The Board also granted the Veteran a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities since November 23, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease and PTSD due to insufficient evidence regarding the stressor events. The VA will conduct additional research to verify these events.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected heart disability, as well as claims for secondary service connection for right and left lower extremity edema and a hernia, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.