Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to November 15, 2016.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted. The hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disability (including dementia and PTSD), diabetes, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and liver disability claims are all remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for tonsillar cancer remains pending as it does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart condition and left hand numbness.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran's attorney and requests for additional information about the qualifications of the VA examiners.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's heart condition and its relationship to his in-service gunshot wound. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to address these issues.

Prior to March 21, 2017, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent and denied a higher rating.,From March 21, 2017, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's lumbar strain was rated at 10 percent and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD) was rated at 30 percent and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from substantially gainful employment prior to August 14, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for ischemic heart disease was denied as the evidence did not show congestive heart failure, left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction less than 30%, or more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disability was denied as there is no credible evidence linking his current condition to his period of active service.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and type 2 diabetes mellitus due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, which include coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, post-operative scarring from a heart procedure, and erectile dysfunction. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure is granted. The cases of a recurrent skin disability (psoriasis) and an arm disability (fracture residuals) are remanded, as well as the initial ratings for prostate cancer residuals and a prostatectomy scar.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his heart condition and lower extremity neuropathies, have resulted in a loss of use of one or more extremities that precludes locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. As such, he is eligible for specially adapted housing.

The Board has dismissed all the issues related to service connection and increased rating for various disabilities, including right inguinal hernia. The decision is due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for an increased initial evaluation and TDIU are remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of his private medical records.

The reduction of the disability rating for CAD from 60% to 30% was proper. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for CAD and effective dates for TDIU and DEA were denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the appellant's claimed heart disorder, as well as his service connection claim under Chapter 17.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and peripheral neuropathy, made it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from April 3, 2009, to June 14, 2016, and from October 1, 2016, to August 1, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung disorder, claimed as COPD and emphysema, is not service-connected due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus between his current condition and service. The heart disorder, hypertension, and stroke residuals claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of his service-connected disabilities' impact on employment.