Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for increased evaluations or service connection. The Board denied service connection for hypertensive heart disease and denied all issues related to diabetic polyneuropathy of the sciatic nerve and femoral nerves, as well as service connection for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, thyroid disorder, cardiac disability, arrhythmia, basal cell carcinoma, and sleep apnea have all been granted. The lumbar spine disability claim has not been resolved.

The Veteran's cause of death, cardiopulmonary arrest with underlying causes of ischemic cardiomyopathy and coronary artery disease, was not incurred in service or due to a service-connected disability. The Board found the preponderance of evidence against service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the claim for TDIU due to the need for additional medical records and information from the Veteran. The case will be reviewed again with a focus on assessing the Veteran's functional limitations and whether he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The heart disability issue is dismissed. Service connection for PTSD, vertigo, plantar fasciitis, TBI, left wrist, bilateral ankle, bilateral elbow, and bilateral hand disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease prior to March 21, 2013 is denied as his workload was less than 7 METs and he did not have cardiac hypertrophy or dilation. For the period from March 21, 2013 onwards, a higher rating of 60 percent is denied due to lack of more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 30-50%. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches to include as due to an undiagnosed illness. The VA examiner found no evidence supporting a causal relationship between his current headaches and any of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his sternal scar was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a 60 percent rating for his CAD status post triple heart bypass, myocardial infarction and stent was granted.

The Board has ordered the RO to obtain additional service records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the respiratory disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, heart disorder, hypertension, and hypothyroid disorder. The issues have been remanded for these purposes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a heart disability, including coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation, finding no evidence that these conditions were related to his military service, specifically exposure to cold temperatures. The decision is based on medical opinions from VA examiners who reviewed the claims file and service treatment records.

The Veteran's heart disability, gout, and acquired psychiatric disorder were denied as not related to service or service-connected conditions.,Service connection was not established for any of the claimed disabilities.

The Board dismissed all the issues on appeal, including service connection claims and rating appeals for various conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents, including heart condition, diabetes, and back condition. The Veteran's service records need to be verified, as well as her exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability separate and distinct from cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension, and sinus bradycardia. The evidence did not support finding that these conditions began during service or were related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives and incorrect standard used in a medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cold injury residuals and coronary artery disease (CAD) are denied as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected heart and psychiatric disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since September 16, 2011. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as depression and nervous disorder), and a disability manifested by blackout spells. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was granted, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety) was also granted. The Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea and its secondary effects on CAD is remanded.