Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, CAD, and thoracolumbar spine strain, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for hypertension with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, including consideration of separate compensable ratings. Further VA cardiovascular evaluation is needed and all relevant VA and private treatment records should be obtained.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted. The claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, kidney cancer, and skin cancer are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current heart condition and his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy and ischemic heart disease, finding that the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand or at Fort Drum. The Board also found no evidence of a direct link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is reopened. The issues of neck and back pain, STD, and heart disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding service connection for ischemic heart disease and the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to May 11, 2011. The inextricably intertwined issue of an increased rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD prior to May 11, 2011 is also remanded.,The Veteran's appeal includes a request for service connection for ischemic heart disease (claimed as mildly prominent aorta and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)). The Board finds that additional development is needed regarding the relationship between the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in service and his AAA. Additionally, the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to May 11, 2011 requires further consideration as it may impact the increased rating claim for PTSD.,The Veteran's appeal also includes an increased rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD prior to May 11, 2011. The Board finds that additional development is needed regarding the functional impact of PTSD on the Veteran's ability to perform occupational activities prior to May 11, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and ischemic heart disease, finding no evidence of in-service incurrence or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy associated with his lumbar spine disability, tinnitus, and coronary artery disease, status-post myocardial infarction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from April 8, 2014 to May 29, 2018. The Board has granted TDIU for this period.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, hypertension as secondary to PTSD, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's other conditions are also found to be related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and remanded the issue of a higher initial rating for coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction residuals.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate, heart, diabetes mellitus, COPD, and bilateral eye disabilities due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection. The VA is required to obtain new medical opinions addressing these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease on a presumptive basis due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has decided to remand four claims for service connection due to the need for additional development regarding herbicide agent exposure and VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, coronary artery disease, and type II diabetes mellitus on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, heart disability, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. Additional development is required including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new addendum opinion from a VA clinician.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD, secondary service connection for a heart disability status post implanted cardiac pacemaker with sick sinus syndrome as secondary to PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea, and secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran is granted a 100 percent rating for ischemic heart disease from November 1, 1993, to March 25, 2010.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal.