Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 40 percent, and his service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, coronary heart disease, and diabetic nephropathy with hypertension) have rendered him unemployable.,A total rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 22, 2000 for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease is denied. The Board finds that the proper effective date is August 22, 2000.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected coronary artery disease. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has also been raised.

The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease, which has been rated at 60 percent since April 1, 2011. The RO must obtain the Veteran's medical records from VAMC Shreveport and review them to determine if they support an increased rating.,The Veteran also seeks a higher rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease, which has been rated at 30 percent from October 5, 2004 to December 7, 2010. The RO must obtain the Veteran's medical records from VAMC Shreveport and review them to determine if they support an increased rating.

The Veteran's heart condition, including coronary artery disease with angina, is presumed to be related to his military service and exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.,Service connection for a left shoulder disability secondary to the service-connected right shoulder disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and verifying herbicide exposure. VA examinations will be scheduled if herbicide exposure is confirmed.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 10, 2007, for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease was denied by the Board.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, which substantially contributed to his cause of death. The Board finds that the evidence is at least equally balanced in terms of whether service-connected disability substantially contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disability secondary to herbicide exposure, but denied service connection for diabetes mellitus as it was not shown in service or within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was pending and had not been finally adjudicated as of November 17, 2010. The effective date for the grant of service connection is set to March 2, 1984.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and therefore cannot establish service connection for heart disability or diabetes based on herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claims have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his active service.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD was caused by fear of hostile military activity during his service.

The Veteran's residuals of larynx cancer were rated at 10 percent from October 1, 2010, to July 22, 2012, and at 30 percent from July 23, 2012, to March 6, 2013. The Veteran's heart disability was reopened on new evidence and granted a 30 percent rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right deviated septum, left inguinal hernia, residuals of low back injury, and heart disorder. Specifically, an addendum opinion is needed regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine when the condition first manifested and whether it was related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, status post bypass graft, is rated at 100 percent since August 31, 2010. The appeal for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is moot due to the grant of a 100 percent rating. The Veteran meets the criteria for SMC under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. � 1114 (s).

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during the Veteran's service in Korea or Guam, and thus denied his claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cause of death and whether his coronary artery disease is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted effective July 27, 2000. The claims for higher ratings for coronary artery disease and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate were denied as there was no increase in severity prior to April 1, 2011.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was not granted. His current rating of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea is the maximum available under VA's rating schedule.