Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2010

The Board finds the medical evidence of record is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are manifested by the loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet. As a result, the claim for certification of eligibility for automotive and adaptive equipment is granted.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for rheumatic heart disease effective from April 22, 2010. Prior to that date, the Veteran's condition did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and a need for further examination.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a heart disability, which has been diagnosed as coronary artery disease and hypertension. The appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a heart disorder (sick sinus syndrome) that he attributes to his service-connected hypertension. The case is being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sick sinus syndrome and his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection is denied for all conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and basic eligibility for DEA benefits. The appellant's spouse is now eligible to receive these benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's current heart disorders, including rheumatic heart disease and mild valvular heart disease, are not service-connected due to lack of clear and unmistakable evidence showing they were pre-existing conditions or permanently aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition. The Board also found that diabetes mellitus, which was presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, may be secondary to CAD, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and retinopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death. The Board found that the immediate cause of death was myocardial infarction, but ruled out a causal link between his service-connected bilateral nephrolithiasis and his renal failure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to conflicting evidence regarding the onset of hypertension during service.

The Board found that the cause of death was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated. The Veteran's disabilities, including hypertension and coronary artery disease, were initially demonstrated years after service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of TDIU, finding that there was no factual evidence to support a factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to April 5, 1997.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease was granted, with a current evaluation of 10 percent. Service connection for diabetes mellitus and pancreatitis was also established, but the issue regarding multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities under 38 CFR § 3.324 is pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, migraine headaches, heart disease, residuals of a stroke, and lumbar spine disability are not supported by competent evidence. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding an in-service injury or event that would support these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (diabetes and coronary artery disease) satisfy the schedular requirements for a TDIU rating, but it remains unclear whether the functional impairment associated with these conditions is of such severity as to preclude substantially gainful employment. The case is REMANDED for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, kidney disability, heart disability, and residuals of a stroke. The Veteran's claims were based on direct evidence rather than presumptive exposure to herbicides or other conditions.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a heart disorder, which he claims is secondary to his already service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board has requested an additional medical opinion regarding whether the diabetes mellitus has aggravated the heart disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his service-connected spinal stenosis, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and hypertension.