Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2005

The veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, with a combined rating of 80% (CAD at 60%, diabetes mellitus at 20%). The decision also addresses the increased ratings for CAD and diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking his current heart condition to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability and residuals of detached retina, finding that these conditions did not begin during or as a result of the veteran's active duty service.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected heart disease, as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on current criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease and seizure disorder are presumptively related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for reopening his service connection for a heart condition, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted to support the claim.

The Board found that the veteran did not have hypertension or coronary artery disease and diffuse multi-vessel disease during his active service, nor could these conditions be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claims were therefore denied.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding no nexus between any service-connected disability and the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records, as well as clarification of the secondary service connection issue.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the severity of his respiratory and cardiac conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VAMC records from 1955 onwards.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. The Board found that there was no evidence of such exposure in Vietnam and thus could not presume it.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the issue regarding service connection for a kidney disorder associated with pulmonary sarcoidosis due to the appellant's withdrawal.,VA determined that arteriosclerotic heart disease is not proximately due to or the result of service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a liver or coronary artery disability related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claims for increased ratings and secondary service connection are denied.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death, ischemic cardiomyopathy, was incurred as a result of service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertensive heart disease and right index finger disability, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability by reason of service-connected disabilities. The veteran's claim for dependents' educational assistance benefits was also denied.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, and retinopathy have been denied. The RO increased the rating for Type II diabetes mellitus to 40 percent effective May 8, 2001.

The veteran claims service connection for Congestive Heart Failure and/or Coronary Artery Disease, which he alleges was caused by treatment at a VA medical facility in January 1998. The Board has determined that additional records are needed to properly adjudicate the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of evidence, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between the veteran's service-connected conditions and his current health issues.