Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart condition, diagnosed as aortic atherosclerosis, is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.,However, there is no medical evidence to support the claim of secondary service connection for migraine headaches.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current hearing loss, tinnitus, psychiatric disorder, heart disease, stroke, seizures, cold injuries to service or any specific exposure. The Veteran's assertions were not credible and his claims for these conditions were denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to discrepancies in his service records and the need for further clarification of his service history. The VA will obtain any outstanding treatment records, clarify his service location during the relevant time period, and schedule him for a VA examination if necessary.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, currently manifested by coronary artery disease, on a presumptive basis due to the Veteran's presumed exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current cardiovascular disability, including hypertension and coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination regarding the appellant's heart disability, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is found to be due to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Board finds the evidence in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran has a current low back disorder that is related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. Service connection was not granted for hearing loss as there were no records of such disability at the time of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or any of the specified units in South Korea exposed to herbicides, including Agent Orange. Therefore, he is not presumed to have been exposed to such agents during service. There is no evidence of actual exposure either. As a result, service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and its secondary conditions cannot be established.

The Board found no evidence of a heart condition during service and insufficient continuity of symptoms to link the current heart disorder to service. The respiratory disorder claim is pending as it relates to exposure in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for severe gout with crippling arthritis and heart disease were denied as there is no competent or credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,There was also a failure to provide the necessary medical examination, as the Board concluded that the information and evidence did not establish an in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Veteran's service connection claims for multiple myeloma, thyroid cancer/parathyroid cancer, subcapsular cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, heart disease, and kidney stones were denied as there is no evidence of exposure to ionizing radiation in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease has been granted, but the appeal is dismissed as moot since the underlying claim has already been decided.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and heart disease did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence to support a finding of direct service connection. The VA medical expert opinion concluded that the Veteran's PTSD did not cause or aggravate his hypertension or heart disease.

The case is being remanded for additional development to ensure the Veteran has had sufficient time to respond to VA medical examination reports and for further adjudication.

The Board has determined that the appellant's sick sinus syndrome, which represents a heart disability, had its onset during her period of active duty for training in 1989.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying the appellant's claims. The Veteran died from multiple underlying conditions, but his service-connected lumbar spine disability or medication may have contributed to his death.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is attributable to service and granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The claim for soft tissue sarcoma remains pending due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and headaches are all denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to his active service.,There is no documentation that the Veteran was in Vietnam during his active service. The Board finds that he did not have any exposure to herbicide agents while serving in Korea.,The Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary artery disease, or headaches that are related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA medical opinion regarding his heart disorder.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, which is presumed to be due to exposure to herbicides in service, is granted as service connected. The secondary service connection for diabetes mellitus is also granted.