Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2010

The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease, status post coronary artery bypass graft, myocardial infarction and hypertension were not due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability. The evidence did not show they were incurred in or manifested within one year of discharge.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records from the Veteran's second period of active duty. The appeal will be deferred until the Veteran completes his current period of active duty.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for his heart, hernia, paralyzed right hemi diaphragm, and vagus nerve disorders as secondary to his left subclavian shoulder/arm disorder.

The Veteran's current heart condition, including coronary artery disease and its complications, is found to be aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and effective date have been withdrawn. The claims of emphysema, hypertension, coronary artery disease as secondary to hypertension, right knee disability, and arthritis of the left hand were previously denied by final decisions. New evidence submitted since those decisions does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, as well as compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for heart and chronic renal diseases.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus has aggravated his pre-existing coronary artery disease, resulting in a 50% increase in severity.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, residuals of stomach cancer, and an initial rating claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition. The heart disability issue is referred to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to determine the etiology of his heart disability, back disability, right leg neurological disability, and scar on the head.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete VA examination reports and requests for opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and coronary artery disease due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The decision was based on a lack of confirmation of his actual presence in Vietnam or inland waterways, and thus no presumption of exposure to herbicides could be applied.

The Veteran is eligible for VA healthcare enrollment under priority category 6 due to exposure to Agent Orange, but remains ineligible under category 8 for other disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, status post acute myocardial infarct associated with Type II diabetes mellitus, did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent from May 8, 2001 to November 2, 2004.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not show a current disability or any link to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection and for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant, finding that his disabilities did not meet the criteria for these benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a personal hearing at the RO.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a heart disorder, claiming that his preexisting condition was aggravated by military service. The Board finds there is insufficient evidence to determine the relationship between the current heart disorder and service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and non-VA treatment records, investigating service personnel records, and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any heart condition and PTSD. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.