Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Veteran's initial disability rating for ischemic heart disease (IHD) is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher than 60 percent rating. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also denied due to lack of evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy was denied as he did not have a diagnosed disability. The heart disease and diabetes mellitus claims were remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's evaluation for coronary artery disease prior to July 19, 2017 is denied. An effective date of December 31, 2013, and no earlier, for the assignment of a TDIU has been granted.

Service connection is granted for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and erectile dysfunction. Service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy remains pending as the evidence is insufficient to establish a link with herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment for the appeal period prior to August 11, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and a VA examination. The hypertension claim is referred to the AOJ for initial adjudication.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Thailand and thus meets the presumptive criteria for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for clarification regarding whether the Veteran's pulmonary fibrosis and associated complications contributed to his death from COPD or coronary artery disease. The appeal is not about service connection at all, but rather a request for clarification on the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a new VA medical opinion regarding the cause of death and the nature and etiology of the Veteran's end stage liver disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding when the disability arose.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected hypertension resulted in a superimposed disease or injury to his bicuspid aortic valve. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional treatment records and refer the claims file for an opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's heart disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for coronary artery disease has been withdrawn, and the issue is dismissed.

The Veteran's combined disability rating prior to October 27, 2016 was 80 percent. The Board found that the schedular requirements for a TDIU were met due to his service-connected conditions, but he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for an increased rating of ischemic heart disease, status-post myocardial infarction. As a result, the Board dismissed this issue.

The Veteran's CAD was granted a 100% rating effective March 22, 2010. Prior to this date, the condition was rated at 10%, and from August 19, 2008 until March 22, 2010, it was rated at 30%. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating prior to March 22, 2010 is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability, left arm neurological disorder, and left facial neurological disorder. Service connection was also denied for a heart disability.,There is no evidence of any chronic condition in service or within one year following discharge from service that could be presumed to have been incurred during service.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, paranoid schizophrenia, and cervical disc disease. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran was found to be unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected back and heart disabilities prior to August 18, 2009.

The Veteran's dry mouth is not service-connected as it did not manifest during service and there is no evidence linking the condition to his inservice exposure to ionizing radiation.,There is also insufficient evidence to establish a connection between the Veteran's heart disability (other than hypertension) and his active service, including his inservice exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).,There is no evidence to support that the Veteran's current heart condition or COPD began during her military service.