Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2009

The Veteran does not have coronary artery disease, a blood disability, or a skin disability that is related to his service. The Board finds the evidence against the claims outweighs the Veteran's contentions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on a direct and secondary basis are denied as there is no competent evidence of record showing that any claimed conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, a heart disorder, and hypothyroidism. The evidence does not support these claims as they are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if the veteran's coronary artery disease, including as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, was incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his service and denied the claim.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and his claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for daily personal needs without regular assistance from others or to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of his daily environment, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for arthritis and ischemic heart disease, as well as his claim for an increased rating for prostatic enlargement. The Veteran's current ischemic heart disease is not considered to be related to service or any service-connected disability. For the period prior to January 12, 2006, the Veteran's prostatic enlargement was not manifested by a need for use of an appliance or wearing of absorbent materials that must be changed more than 4 times per day. From January 12, 2006, the Veteran's prostatic enlargement has been manifested by a need for use of an appliance.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including new VA examinations to determine the nature and likely etiology of any diagnosed left shoulder condition and heart condition. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD as likely as not aggravated his diagnosed CAD and hypertension conditions, warranting service connection for both.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of death due to atherosclerotic heart disease, which is presumed to have been caused by the Veteran's former POW status. The Board finds that this condition substantially contributed to the Veteran's death and grants service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his claimed conditions are related to his active duty or to any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, depression, a heart disorder, hypertension, and bilateral knee disorder are all denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death is not related to any injury or disease incurred in service, including coronary artery disease.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various disabilities, including a cervical spine injury, right and left knee disabilities, thoracic and lumbar spine disabilities, a psychiatric disorder (including posttraumatic stress disorder), and a heart condition. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Board finds that service connection for a heart disorder, to include coronary artery disease, is not warranted as there is no competent evidence linking the current diagnosis to any incident of or finding recorded during active service or a period of ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including those related to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange), were denied as there is no medical evidence of current diagnoses or a link between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing heart disorder was not aggravated by his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) to include heart bypass surgery was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claim for an increased disability rating for left carpal tunnel syndrome is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his hypertension and whether his service-connected neurological condition is related to his current symptoms.