Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and additional VA treatment records.

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus. The claims for secondary service connection for neurological disorder, heart disorder, and hypertension as due to diabetes mellitus were denied based on lack of medical nexus evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current hypertension and heart disability are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's atherosclerotic heart disease, which is presumed to have been caused by his exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, either caused or contributed substantially to his death. As such, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD), finding that it is related to symptoms reported in service. The claim for a chronic disability of the lumbar spine remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease with heart failure, to include as secondary to PTSD, was denied. The Board found that the current cardiovascular disability did not have its onset during military service or within a year thereafter and is not due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease are not related to his service-connected tachycardia, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, diagnosed as coronary artery disease with a history of myocardial infarctions, is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicide agents in the Republic of Vietnam. Therefore, his claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted as it falls under the presumption of exposure to herbicide agents due to his service in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, and pulmonary fibrosis as secondary to the Veteran's military service. The claims for service connection for these conditions are all granted for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, heart disease, and emphysema, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a direct link between these conditions and his military service. The claims for secondary service connection were also denied.

The Veteran's current heart disease is presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted as it falls under the presumptive service connection criteria due to exposure to Agent Orange during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the etiology of his COPD and heart disorder. The issue of service connection will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's coronary artery disease, finding that it may be presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting rheumatic heart disease did not incur or worsen during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and heart disease were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and his post-operative residuals of bilateral herniorrhaphy do not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. The Board finds that the Veteran has a stomach/gastrointestinal disorder, skin disorders, and numbness of hands and feet related to his military service.

The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease with old myocardial infarction due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. Service connection was denied for hypertension, as it is not a presumptively service-connected condition and the Veteran's current diagnosis predates his separation from service by over 30 years.