Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work experience. The Board has granted the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary regarding the Veteran's appeal of the initial rating assigned for coronary artery disease (CAD). The AOJ must make inquiry as to whether there may be relevant outstanding Social Security Administration records. If new records are obtained, they will be considered in readjudicating the initial rating assigned for CAD and determining if TDIU is warranted on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating determinations related to multiple conditions, including left leg numbness, medial collateral ligament tear, abdominal aneurism, heart condition, kidney stones, and prostate condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his service-connected ischemic heart disease is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show the condition had onset prior to January 23, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and prostate cancer were denied. The Board found no current disability of these conditions at any point pertinent to the pendency of his claim, thus denying service connection. For LLE and RLE neuropathy, the Veteran was granted initial ratings of 20 percent each but denied requests for higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Board has vacated the February 28, 2019 decision of the RO in St. Louis, Missouri and Indianapolis, Indiana regarding TDIU due to violation of due process rights by not discussing a vocational specialist's opinion. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted reopening of the claim for service connection for PTSD and has granted service connection for PTSD. However, the issue of service connection for ischemic heart disease is remanded due to a lack of examination.

The Veteran's care at Capital Regional Medical Center was for a service-connected condition (coronary artery disease) and an emergency medical situation. The treatment was deemed necessary due to the Veteran's history of myocardial infarctions, recent stent placement, and hypotension. As all conditions for payment under 38 U.S.C. § 1728 were met, the claim is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is reopened, and he is granted service connection. For the period prior to April 6, 2017, his TDIU is granted based on multiple service-connected disabilities. From April 6, 2017 onwards, the issue of TDIU is moot due to a combined schedular evaluation of 100 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disease diagnosed as aortic stenosis is due to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's ureterolithiasis is rated at 30 percent. The claims for service connection of lumbar spine disability, right arm and shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, sleep apnea, and heart disability (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board denied reopening of previously denied claims for heart condition, PTSD, and sleep apnea/sleeping disorder. The Veteran's claims were not supported by new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's heart condition, including hypertension. The issue of service connection is being addressed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings were denied. The reduction of the right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy rating was not proper, and a restoration to a 20% rating is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and a statement of the case regarding his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, shell fragment wounds to the left upper arm, ankle and foot with retained foreign body, and forearm. The issue of entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot due to the Veteran's receipt of a 100% disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of ischemic heart disease has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by VA carelessness, negligence or error and denied DIC benefits.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, lumbosacral strain with rheumatoid spondylitis, sacroiliac joints and degenerative joint disease, coronary artery disease, PTSD, and TDIU. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's 30 percent rating for coronary artery disease is restored, effective December 12, 2014. The 50 percent rating for PTSD prior to March 1, 2017 and the 50 percent rating from that date are denied.