Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete development and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for chronic lumbago with right leg radiculopathy. The Veteran's coronary artery disease is found to be due to herbicide exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to potential eligibility for service connection based on exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, and the need for additional development of his SSA records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding VA and SSA records.

The Veteran's cause of death, myocardial infarction due to coronary artery disease, is not etiologically related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has dismissed the issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for a liver condition. The remaining claims are remanded for further development, including obtaining VA medical records, verifying Agent Orange exposure, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further development of evidence related to the service member's medical history, including treatment received while on active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung disorder, heart disorder (coronary artery disease), and rash are all service-connected. The central nervous system disorder, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), hypertension, and prostate disorder were not found to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension, finding that the conditions are presumptively related to exposure to herbicides during active duty in Vietnam.

The VA determined that the Veteran's elevated LDL cholesterol level during service contributed to his current coronary artery disease, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam is presumed, and he has been granted service connection for coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's appeal is to be remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine if he has ischemic heart disease and whether any diagnosed cardiac disability is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's diagnosed coronary artery disease, status post coronary artery bypass grafting, and status post myocardial infarction, finding that these conditions are presumed to have been incurred in-service due to exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam-era service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran did not incur heart disease, including atherosclerotic heart disease, during his period of active duty or ACDUTRA. The Board concluded that the Veteran was not on active duty in March 1997 when he first had atherosclerosis of the aorta.

The Board is unsure whether the Veteran has ischemic heart disease, a specific type of heart condition that may be associated with service-connected PTSD. The case will be remanded to obtain clarification from a VA physician.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's diagnosed heart disability and service or his service-connected tachycardia or hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for heart disease, including hypertension, due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to be related to his service-connected heart disease.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The claims for kidney condition and right jaw line squamous cell carcinoma are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of a current heart disability and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, including as secondary to Hepatitis C. The claim for an increased rating for Hepatitis C was also denied.