Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of records from Dr. Harper in El Dorado, Arkansas.

The Veteran's heart disability was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The Board found that the evidence does not support finding that the Veteran has ischemic heart disease, or that his heart problems began during service after a building fell on him. The Board also concluded that the Veteran's heart disability is not related to asbestos exposure, herbicide agent exposure, or PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension have been reopened, and both conditions are now granted as secondary to the other condition. The Veteran also received a grant of TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for increased ratings due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to August 26, 2015 for the award of a TDIU was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation before that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and coronary artery disease associated with herbicide exposure due to incomplete records. The effective dates for service connection are not granted as there is no evidence of a claim prior to March 4, 2014.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease resulted in a MET score of 3.0, which caused heart failure symptoms and warrants an increased disability rating to 100 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms most nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating. The Board also found that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, granting TDIU.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, Parkinson's disease (claimed as tremors), Barrett's esophagus, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents during his active duty in Thailand, which supports a finding of presumptive service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 60 percent, but no higher. Service connection for CAD and COPD are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for asthma, shortness of breath during physical training in service, and bradycardia/implanted pacemaker due to insufficient development and lack of clear conclusions with supporting rationale.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus type II, a heart condition, a back condition, obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to outstanding VA treatment records and unverified stressors.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to secondary disabilities, including fatigue, stress, depression, weight gain, and other conditions related to hearing loss. The issues are being reviewed again as part of a broader examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to changes in rating criteria and a need for a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's METs level, which is necessary for determining his heart disability rating. The case will be returned for further evaluation by a cardiology specialist.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied.,A separate disability rating of 10 percent, but no higher, has been granted for right lower extremity femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy prior to June 29, 2021.

The Board has remanded the claims for heart disability, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and genitourinary disability due to incomplete records and further development is required.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hemorrhoids is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DM), and heart disability are remanded due to lack of evidence regarding herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with the DM and heart disability issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development regarding the Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance, specifically related to his service-connected disabilities other than schizophrenia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for low back disorder, heart disorder (to include as secondary to service-connected disability), acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD) (to include as secondary to service-connected disability), left knee disorder, and sleep apnea (to include as secondary to service-connected disability).