Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is currently rated at 60 percent, but the Board finds remand necessary to determine if there was a factually ascertainable increase in severity within one year prior to his October 18, 2011 claim.

The Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease with myocardial infarction, psoriasis, and diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction and cerebrovascular atherosclerosis were denied in the December 2013 rating decision. The effective dates of October 15, 2015, were assigned after the Veteran submitted an Intent to File Claims on October 15, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, coronary artery disease, and hypertension as the evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or caused by service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for CAD was denied. A separate 10% rating for bradycardia following pacemaker implantation is granted, and a temporary total rating due to hospitalization for reimplantation of the pacemaker is also granted. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to TDIU from December 10, 2012.

The Veteran's cause of death is listed as COPD, but the amended death certificate also notes other conditions contributing to his death. The appellant should be given an opportunity to submit additional documentation used for the amended death certificate.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disability, right wrist strain with arthritis symptoms, and impairment of the right thumb degenerative joint disease render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of August 1, 2015.

The Board has determined that the grant of service connection for CAD was not clearly erroneous and restored it. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange, during his service at U-Tapao RTAFB in Thailand is presumed.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 17, 2016 for a 100 percent evaluation of ischemic heart disease status post myocardial infarction (Nehmer grant), finding that the evidence is in approximate balance and supports this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in obtaining a new examination for his heart disability, which has worsened since the last examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities, hypertension, and tinnitus, render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's initial 30 percent rating for supraventricular arrhythmia is granted. Service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome and sleep apnea are remanded, while service connection for a heart condition other than supraventricular arrhythmia remains unresolved.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to support the reopening of claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart disorder, stroke, kidney disorder, lumbar spine disorder, prostate cancer, acquired psychiatric disorder (secondary to a lumbar spine disorder), and bilateral eye disorder. The issues have been remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to support the reopening of claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart disorder, stroke, kidney disorder, lumbar spine disorder, prostate cancer, acquired psychiatric disorder (secondary to a lumbar spine disorder), and bilateral eye disorder. The issues have been remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board denied service connection for a heart condition, diabetes mellitus, stroke residuals, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of direct service connection or secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Board found that there was no in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other toxins linked to these conditions. The Veteran's heart condition is presumed to have existed prior to service, and he has not provided credible evidence linking it to service. His diabetes mellitus and stroke residuals are not considered presumptively related to herbicide agent exposure. The peripheral neuropathy was first diagnosed many years after service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during service, and requests that additional records be obtained.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from October 14, 2009 to March 29, 2010 is moot due to his combined 100% disability rating.,The Veteran's TDIU prior to October 14, 2009 remains on appeal and requires extraschedular consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease is not related to his active-duty service or his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The evidence does not show a nexus between the condition and service.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, and he is granted a TDIU effective February 1, 2019. The Board found the evidence did not support an increased rating for the low back disability or a higher rating for any other service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate development and compliance with previous directives.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions secondary to his service-connected sarcoidosis have been remanded by the Board. The issues include headache, joint and muscle pain, heart condition (claimed as an irregular heartbeat), hearing loss, and a psychiatric disorder.