Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board denied requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of hypertension and ischemic heart disease as secondary to hypertension. The effective date for both conditions is March 5, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the issues on appeal have become moot.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for CAD is denied. An effective date of June 20, 2012 for the grant of service connection for CAD is granted.,The issues related to thoracolumbar spine injury, arachnoiditis with residuals of upper and lower extremities are remanded due to their inextricable link to CUE claims and earlier effective date claims.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease precludes all substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him, thus the TDIU is granted.

The Board has determined that the cause of the Veteran's death was hypertensive heart disease, which is presumed due to his service in Vietnam. The claim needs further examination by a VA specialist to determine if hypertension and atrial fibrillation are related to service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to have been caused by his exposure to herbicide agents during service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure during his time stationed at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the need for aid and attendance of another person, which has been granted based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease and hypertension are currently rated as 30% and 10%, respectively. The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if higher ratings are warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, consistent with his educational and occupational background.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are rated at 20 percent each, effective May 16, 2016.,The Veteran's left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are rated at 30 percent each, effective August 4, 2016. The Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at 60 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a heart disability (to include as secondary to service-connected varicose veins), and a rating in excess of 20 percent for varicose veins of the right leg. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability and a skin disability, finding that the current conditions are not related to service or exposure to herbicide agents. The heart condition is presumed due to prior service with rheumatic fever, while the skin condition cannot be linked to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, including coronary artery disease (CAD), is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a VA heart examination.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Veteran's claim for a rating more than 60 percent for coronary artery disease prior to May 31, 2011 was denied as the evidence did not show chronic congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 30 percent.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including tinnitus, headaches, heart disability, hypertension, lumbar spine disability, bilateral flatfoot and plantar fasciitis, and residuals of a left ankle injury. The issues have been remanded due to outstanding VA and private treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran's heart condition, claimed as coronary artery disease (CAD), was not found to be related to service or due to herbicide exposure. The Board denied both the claim for service connection and the request for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance/housebound.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to otitis media, an unidentified heart disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU. The Veteran's incarceration dates need to be verified, and he should be rescheduled for examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions alone precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.