Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease is rated at 60 percent and has rendered him unable to work since September 27, 2000. The Board finds that a TDIU is warranted from this date.

The Veteran's respiratory symptoms are attributed to COPD, not asbestosis. The Board denied service connection for asbestosis and related conditions due to lack of evidence linking the current disability to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected depression and other service-connected disabilities, warranting service connection for this condition. The heart disease claim remains pending as it was not addressed in the remand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is related to his military service and grants the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus aggravated his coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular diseases of the lower extremities. The issue of entitlement to a higher evaluation for renal insufficiency from September 24, 2004 is also remanded.

The Board is considering whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, scleredema of the back, coronary artery disease, hypertension, blindness due to diabetic retinopathy, and a bilateral foot disorder. The appeal involves determining if these conditions are related to exposure to herbicide.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development by the AMC.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by VA medical treatment, and thus denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board is remanding the case to allow for a VA examination to determine if there has been material improvement in the Veteran's hypertension since March 12, 2002. The RO must also provide proper VCAA notice regarding disability ratings and effective dates.

The case is being remanded for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's heart disorder.

The Board found no evidence to support the claim that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death, and thus denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for myocardial infarction with coronary artery bypass grafting and hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's cardiovascular disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred. The appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus and heart disorder are inextricably intertwined with each other.

The Veteran died from probable acute myocardial infarction due to ischemic heart disease. Service connection for the cause of death is denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, including asbestosis and ischemic heart disease, was not incurred or aggravated by service. Asbestos exposure is not presumed due to military service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for coronary artery disease, which he claims is related to his diabetes mellitus and herbicide exposure. The claim will be remanded for a VA examination to determine if the current heart disorder is at least as likely as not caused or permanently worsened by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, lumbar spine disability, and lower extremity disability. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim of service connection for hypertension.

The Board is remanding the case for scheduling a travel board hearing at the RO in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Veteran's heart disorder is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused by or made worse by his service-connected asbestosis.