Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for kidney cancer, lung cancer, and heart disability. However, the claim of peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is remanded as no VA examiner has provided an opinion on this issue yet. The issues of SMC based on need for aid and attendance and at housebound rate are also remanded due to their inextricable link with the peripheral neuropathy claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for stroke residuals, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral diabetic retinopathy, kidney condition, upper and lower extremity neuropathy, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension has been granted. However, the claims for these conditions are not supported by evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or other direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for facial and lip lacerations was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection for coronary artery disease status post heart attack is granted as presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.,PTSD is rated at 50 percent, the maximum under applicable criteria.,Tinnitus remains at a 10 percent rating.,Bilateral hearing loss was initially noncompensable and now rated at 10 percent after January 14, 2019.,Low back disability is rated at 10 percent prior to October 28, 2015, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter. Right knee disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease was denied, but his TDIU claim was granted. The Veteran is rated at 60% for coronary artery disease and is considered unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed all appeals regarding increased disability ratings and service connection claims for various conditions, including PTSD, peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, scar associated with CABG, unspecified depressive disorder, and cataracts. The Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records. The issues include neurological disorders, heart disorder, hypertension, headaches, and IVDS.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for valvular heart disease, effective September 1, 2013. The gallbladder disability is rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's death was not due to any VA benefits he had, and there were no pending claims for VA benefits at the time of his death. Therefore, accrued benefits are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cerebral vascular accident (also claimed as stroke) included as secondary to coronary artery disease, finding that there is no evidence linking the condition to his service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's entitlement to a disability rating of 100 percent for service-connected coronary artery disease, effective February 19, 2019 is granted. The matter of total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus and coronary artery disease, are of sufficient severity to produce unemployability from November 9, 2010. The Board finds that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, to include as a result of herbicide agent exposure (Agent Orange), for the purpose of accrued benefits. The Veteran had ischemic heart disease that manifested to a degree of 10 percent disabling and was presumed exposed to an herbicide agent during active service in Vietnam.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for prostate cancer, CAD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are now considered reopened due to new evidence received since the final November 2015 rating decision. Service connection is granted on a presumptive basis as the diseases are associated with exposure to herbicide agents during service in Thailand.

The Veteran's CAD symptoms have worsened, and a VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% prior to March 26, 2019 and his CAD is rated at 60%. The TDIU claim for the period before March 26, 2019 was granted but dismissed as moot due to the Veteran now receiving a 100% rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, bilateral foot skin rash, coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II have been granted.,Service connection has also been granted for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's granulomatous disease and coronary artery disease are not service-connected as they did not manifest within one year of his active duty.,The Veteran's prostate cancer is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of his active duty. The Veteran also does not have any current symptoms or issues related to prostate cancer that pre-date his diagnosis.,VA has determined that the Veteran was likely exposed to smoke screens during military training, but there is no evidence linking these exposures to the Veteran's current conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily PTSD and coronary artery disease, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's death was caused by ileum cancer with metastasis, which is not service-connected. The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors and a need for a medical opinion regarding whether his military service contributed to his death.