Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence submitted after the initial decision and a need for a VA examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's heart conditions, particularly atrial fibrillation. The examiner is asked to consider whether these conditions are related to herbicide agent exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and IHD, as well as the propriety of the reduction in their ratings from 70% to 50% for PTSD and from 60% to 10% for IHD, are being remanded due to new examinations being required. The Veteran also has a claim for TDIU which is now considered inextricably intertwined with his increased rating claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease, finding that no formal or informal claim was filed before October 2, 2009.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is currently rated at a 30 percent since July 24, 2017. The VA has granted an initial rating of 30 percent for the entire appeal period.

The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities prior to April 1, 2016.,From April 1, 2016 onwards, the appellant's combined evaluation did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The psychiatric disorder was rated as 50 percent disabling, and other service-connected conditions were rated at various levels.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for loss of sense of smell, taste, sleep disorder, heart disorder, salivary gland disorder, gallbladder removal residuals, urinary tract infections, and skin condition due to exposure to ionizing radiation. Additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various disabilities and reopening of previously denied claims. The main reasons are that new medical records need to be obtained and a VA examination is required.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease is granted, with the condition being presumed due to herbicide exposure during his time at Udorn Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Board denied the claim for service connection of ischemic heart disease as there is no evidence of ischemia in the Veteran's medical records, and instead hypertension, diabetes, and coronary artery calcifications contributed to his heart disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's heart disorder. The examiner is requested to review all pertinent records and provide an updated opinion on whether any diagnosed disorders are related to active service.

The Veteran withdrew his service connection claims for lumbar spine disorder, lower extremity disorder, heart disorder, headache disorder, and hemorrhoids before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected coronary artery disease, which prevents him from working as a logger.

The Board has remanded four claims for service connection due to the need for further examination and medical opinions.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is being remanded for further investigation due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Board will determine if the USS Kitty Hawk and USS Kearsarge were within 12 nautical miles of the Republic of Vietnam (RVN) while the Veteran was aboard, which would presume exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied. Service connection for ischemic heart disease and depressive disorder were granted with effective dates of June 1, 2006, and January 4, 2018 respectively. The Veteran received a 60% rating for ischemic heart disease before February 22, 2013, and a higher rating was denied after that date. A 70% rating was granted for depressive disorder starting from January 4, 2018.

The Veteran's cause of death was not caused by or related to his military service, and therefore, the claim for service connection for cause of death is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for a heart disorder, right knee disorder, and low back disorder. The cases are now remanded for further development.

The Board has granted a restoration of a 30 percent evaluation for CAD, denied service connection for sleep apnea, and denied TDIU. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at the maximum allowable under current criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for service connection for coronary bypass surgery due to coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure and diabetes mellitus, type II are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is granted. The left knee disability and right knee disability are all granted, but the increased ratings for both knees prior to specific dates are denied.