Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee condition, and heart disease due to inadequate opinions from previous VA examiners. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for these conditions as there is no evidence that they are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's current symptoms and determine if his METS level is limited.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease status post myocardial infarction is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right knee meniscectomy and debridement is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5261. The examination did not include range of motion testing in both passive motion and non-weight-bearing circumstances.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and coronary artery disease rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of December 2, 2009. The Board granted a TDIU effective that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's coronary artery disease and its relation to service. Additional examination is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and its relationship to his service-connected coronary artery disease. Additional development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Veteran's SMC based on aid and attendance is granted effective August 17, 2016, the date of his coronary artery bypass surgery and heart valve replacement. The earlier effective date was determined due to an increase in severity of his service-connected heart disability.

The Veteran's increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and ischemic heart disease prior to April 30, 2013 or after December 23, 2019 are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease (CAD) have been granted as secondary to herbicide agent exposure in Thailand.,The Veteran's claim for a prostate disorder remains pending due to insufficient information regarding the etiology of his erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart disability, including coronary artery disease, has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating in excess of 30 percent for hypertensive heart disease has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for lung cancer residuals and a heart disorder, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service, specifically his exposure to burn pits during his time stationed in Germany and Aberdeen, Maryland.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents. The issue of service connection for skin cancer is remanded as the Veteran's current diagnosis may be related to long-term sun exposure rather than herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases of ischemic heart disease and lower back disability for further development. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for ischemic heart disease is not considered a full grant, as he did not explicitly state his satisfaction with the 30 percent evaluation. For the lower back disability, the Board found that the VA examination was incomplete and requested an addendum opinion to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his service-connected conditions were dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for ischemic heart disease from October 1, 2015 to February 1, 2016 was granted. The effective date of the grant of service connection for atrial flutter is set at February 9, 2010.

The Board denied service connection for cardiovascular disability, including aortic stenosis, coronary artery disease (CAD), and/or hypertension, due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The evidence did not support a direct link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service or exposure to radiation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inextricably intertwined issues and additional development is required.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all issues on appeal, and the Board dismissed them due to lack of specific error in determination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicide agents while stationed at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base. The Veteran must provide further substantiation of his claims.