Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2023

Service connection for PTSD and increased rating for bilateral hearing loss are denied. Service connection for heart disability is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The appeal for a higher rating for ischemic heart disease associated with herbicide exposure has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart disorder and residuals of a stroke, as well as entitlement to TDIU. Additional relevant VA treatment records were associated with the case after the issuance of the June 2019 statement of the case.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease is granted a 60 percent rating effective January 13, 2016.

The appeal for service connection of the heart condition is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease resulted in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness or syncope with a workload of 3 METs or less from May 18, 2018 to June 1, 2018. A 100% rating is granted for this period.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart disorder and prostate cancer residuals due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives. The AOJ is instructed to obtain independent medical opinions from similarly qualified providers regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for prostate cancer and ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's lay contentions regarding environmental effects from Eglin AFB are considered, along with the potential increased risk of contamination at the testing site.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for the left mandible disability from June 24, 2015 to January 5, 2020, or any rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter. Service connection was also denied for thyroid and bilateral hearing loss disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Service connection for coronary artery disease is remanded as the Board found insufficient medical opinion regarding its relationship to service.

The Veteran's CAD is rated at 30 percent prior to September 30, 2016 and 60 percent thereafter. The Board found the evidence did not meet criteria for a higher rating.,From September 30, 2016 onward, the Veteran's CAD warrants a 60 percent rating under DC 7005.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity associated with diabetes mellitus is rated as non-compensable from May 7, 2015 to July 17, 2020. The claim for a compensable rating is remanded.,From July 17, 2020 onward, the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity (femoral) as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus warrants a disability rating in excess of 10 percent. The claim is remanded.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity associated with diabetes mellitus is rated as non-compensable from May 7, 2015 to July 17, 2020. The claim for a compensable rating is remanded.,From July 17, 2020 onward, the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (femoral) as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus warrants a disability rating in excess of 10 percent. The claim is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) is more likely than not incurred during his period of active duty for training from May to September 2002, and service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease with bypass graft is remanded due to conflicting METs test results and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease and associated surgical scars was granted effective July 20, 2006. The effective date is based on the date of the bypass surgery.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and heart disease due to exposure to herbicide agents, specifically residuals from Agent Orange at Fort Chaffee. The appeal is being remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions on whether the conditions are related to the asserted exposure.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for cause of death due to new and material evidence submitted by the Appellant. However, the case is remanded as a medical opinion is needed regarding the Veteran's heart conditions and exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for an increased rating prior to January 21, 2020. From January 21, 2020, he is rated at 30 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease is denied as there was no pending claim prior to March 20, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease on a presumptive basis. Service connection for diabetes mellitus and kidney disease as secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for updated VA treatment records.