Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The issue of service connection for aortic valve stenosis status post-aortic valve replacement is remanded.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was rated at 100 percent for the period from March 2, 2017 to August 6, 2018. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is moot as he has other service-connected disabilities independently ratable as 60 percent or more during this period. SMC at housebound rate was granted for the same period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, respiratory disability (to include COPD and asthma), and ischemic heart disease have been reopened. The effective date of the grant of service connection for tinnitus is set to December 5, 2019.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD has been granted with a rating of 70 percent effective from June 26, 2007.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand and concluding that the Veteran's condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for scalp scars was denied. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for left shoulder disability and heart condition, to include trivial mitral regurgitation (MR), as well as an increased rating for lumbar strain.,Service connection for a left shoulder disability and heart condition are being remanded due to inadequate development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied as he failed to report for VA examinations scheduled in conjunction with his claims.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease has been granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his active military service. The other two issues related to peripheral neuropathy have also been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and heart disability due to potential issues with the July 2016 VA medical opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, either directly or as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient information regarding his periods of active duty and inactive duty training. The claims are also inextricably intertwined with the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for IBS, mild epididymitis and left hydrocele, and heart condition. The case will be referred to VA Compensation and Pension Service for consideration of extraschedular evaluations. A new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cardiac disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were withdrawn. The claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence supporting the diagnoses.

The Board has decided that the reduction of the evaluation for service-connected coronary artery disease from 60 percent to 10 percent, effective July 1, 2018, was improper and has ordered a remand for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and hypertensive heart disease. The claims are being remanded for a VA examination and for the RO to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation, finding that there is no nexus between these conditions and his active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to determine if his heart disabilities and hypertension are related to service, including considering whether he was exposed to herbicides during service. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not considered presumptively service-connected due to lack of evidence showing it manifested within a year of discharge.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, valvular heart disease, cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as upper extremity radiculopathies are being remanded due to the need for new examinations. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease was granted a 100% rating effective June 25, 2019. Prior to this date, the condition did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected schizophrenic reaction, paranoid type and for service connection for a heart condition are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and verification of in-service exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and additional development is needed.