Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and records to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and their combined effect on his employability.

The Veteran seeks service connection for heart disease and an increased rating for PTSD. The case is being remanded to obtain missing service treatment records, especially those from September 1968 when the Veteran claims he had a heart attack during service. A VA examination will be scheduled to assess the current nature, extent, and severity of his PTSD.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including CAD, multiple joint disease of the neck, back and feet, diabetes, hypertension, rheumatic heart disease, and a lung disorder. The Veteran's CAD, multiple joint disease of the neck, back and feet, diabetes, hypertension, and rheumatic heart disease are not considered to be related to service or any other service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, diabetic nephropathy, gouty arthritis, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The denial is based on a lack of evidence showing exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicide agents during his naval service.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disorder, manifested by left ventricular hypertrophy and cardiomegaly, is service-connected as it was present within one year of discharge from active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition is being remanded due to the need for a medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is found to be the cause of his diagnosed CAD and hypertension. The Board grants these claims on a secondary basis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's current heart condition, hypertension, prostate condition, and any acquired psychiatric disorder are related to service or specific exposures.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and diabetic retinopathy are all granted service connection. The Veteran is also granted increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease and hypertension are found to be due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for the service-connected rheumatic heart disease, finding that it more closely resembles a workload of greater than 5 METs and evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for rheumatic heart disease with residual valvular heart disease is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was not caused or substantially contributed to by any service-connected disability, and thus, denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disability is found to be causally related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing service treatment records and other medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disorder was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied service connection for a heart disorder.

The Veteran's service connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability, finding that the appellant does not have a current heart disability and no heart disability was manifest in service. The Board also found that there is no medical complexity or controversy requiring an IME opinion.