Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected hysterectomy with HRT caused or aggravated her non-service-connected CAD.

The Board has denied all issues on appeal, finding that the appellant does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted. The cholesterol condition is not considered a disease or disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, skin disorder, and hypertension are granted as secondary to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board found that an effective date prior to March 14, 2007 for the grant of DIC benefits is not warranted as there was no indication of intent from the appellant to apply for such benefits before this date.

The Board has granted service connection for malaria, and the case is now focused on whether the Veteran's heart disorder (to include an enlarged heart and/or heart failure) is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected malaria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,The Veteran was in receipt of a 20 percent disability rating for diabetes mellitus, which required insulin and a restricted diet.

The Veteran's cause of death, myocardial infarction, is considered presumptively service-connected due to herbicide exposure. The appellant has not identified any pending claim at the time of her husband's death and thus cannot establish entitlement to accrued benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, coronary artery disease, and left hip replacement were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The evidence does not show any in-service injury or treatment for these conditions.

The Veteran's ossicles of the left foot 5th metatarsal and ischemic heart disease (claimed as coronary artery disease) have been granted service connection. The ossicles are attributed to a line-of-duty injury during ACDUTRA, while the ischemic heart disease is presumed based on exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disorder, manifested by left ventricular hypertrophy, and increased the initial evaluation of the service-connected bilateral inferior altitudinal field defect to 50 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development of the evidence is required before a decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for service connection and cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA clinical records and clarify her intent regarding the issues on appeal. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for heart disease is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including National Guard records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the service connection for aortic valve disease, claimed as heart condition, was denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had been received but did not find sufficient evidence to establish service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and affording him a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed coronary artery disease. The issue of service connection for TDIU remains inextricably intertwined with the issue of whether the Veteran's coronary artery disease is proximately due to or aggravated by his valvular heart disease.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and providing VCAA notice.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to service connection and exposure claims, as well as a need to consider new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether diabetes mellitus was a primary or contributing cause of death, and how it may apply to the Veteran's causes of death. The claim will be readjudicated based on this new information.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he claims may be caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, coronary artery disease, and type II diabetes mellitus. The case has been remanded to provide a VA examination and address the issue of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's death was caused by atherosclerotic hypertensive cardiovascular disease, which is presumed to be due to exposure to herbicides in the Republic of Vietnam. The Board finds service connection for the cause of his death is warranted.