Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2011

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed cardiovascular disorder, pulmonary disorder, diabetes mellitus, and arterial hypertension due to exposure to herbicides. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure in duty to assist and jurisdictional issues. The Veteran's claims for service connection are now pending again with the RO.

The Veteran's valvular heart disease has not been manifested by a workload of less than 7 METs resulting in fatigue, dyspnea, and syncope, or chronic congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction. Therefore, the claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Veteran's heart disability is not considered to be caused by VA treatment, including participation in research studies in 1988 and 1992. The preponderance of evidence does not support the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C was incurred in, or caused by, his military service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction (secondary to hepatitis C) is also granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to reopen her service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that new and material evidence did not relate his death-causing cardiovascular disease to his service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an effective date earlier than October 7, 2004 for the grant of DIC based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The appeal is now remanded to determine a higher rate of DIC benefits.

The Veteran's service connection for heart disease was granted based on a presumption of exposure to herbicides, effective from December 26, 2002.

The Veteran's cause of death, respiratory failure due to anoxic encephalopathy due to ventricular fibrillation due to ischemic heart disease, was not related to his service-connected gunshot wound.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart disorder, stroke, COPD, and periodontal disease. The decision is based on the lack of evidence showing a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cardiovascular disease, lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and TDIU due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disability was denied in January 2006, and the Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen this claim. The Veteran's diabetes claim was also denied.,Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no medical opinion linking the condition to service or service-connected hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, finding it related to herbicide exposure in service. The Veteran's claims for other conditions are remanded.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for hypertension cannot be reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for a skin disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, and coronary artery disease have all been denied as there is no competent or credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected diabetic retinopathy with cataracts, which precludes him from working.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a heart condition, including rheumatic heart disease. The evidence submitted since January 2000 did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim and does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease and asbestosis with chronic bronchitis was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a relationship between the current heart condition and military service, including conceded asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's hypertension and hypertensive heart disease are service-connected.,The Veteran's intertrigo of the groin is service-connected.,The Veteran's tinea pedis (skin rash on the feet) is not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private healthcare records and requesting an opinion from a VA examiner regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his death.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease with hypertension prior to August 26, 2006 was denied. The Board granted an increased rating of 60 percent effective from August 26, 2006.