Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for unspecified depressive disorder was denied, and his claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities was granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims, including a VA examination to assess his sarcoidosis and other service-connected disabilities. The issues of entitlement to service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, stable angina, peripheral vascular disease, and carotid artery disability is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The claims are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the relationship of these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for migraine headaches, a right knee disability, and coronary artery disease. The Veteran is also seeking earlier effective dates for his service connection awards.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for the Veteran's heart disability, and thus denied her claim.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period beginning December 9, 2020 and thereafter is dismissed as his PTSD rating has now reached 100%. The issue of a TDIU prior to December 9, 2020 is granted.

The Veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, hypertension and tinnitus are all granted as service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Board has denied service connection for ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral legs and feet, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral hands and arms. The claim to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for epididymitis was also denied.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's heart condition, including its relationship to service-connected bipolar disorder with major depressive disorder. The remand also requires consideration of whether any diagnosed heart conditions are related to active duty service or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating. However, there is evidence suggesting he may be unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, warranting referral for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims and rating appeals due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, alcohol abuse, type II diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 30, 2012. The Board granted the TDIU for this period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) status post myocardial infarction (MI), finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher 100 percent rating under DCs 7005 or 7006.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction on a secondary basis to his service-connected hypertension. The rating for coronary artery disease with coronary aneurysms remains at 30 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for higher ratings due to lack of congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain VA treatment records and for an addendum medical opinion regarding his sleep apnea. The TDIU claim will be considered again as part of the increased PTSD rating claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disabilities, gastroesophageal disabilities, and erectile dysfunction due to incomplete development. The VA is required to provide additional examinations and opinions regarding direct and secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful employment prior to October 18, 2019. The Board denied the TDIU claim on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ischemic heart disease) is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam Era service.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability and coronary artery disease do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.