Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2011

The Veteran was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism during active duty service, but no active pulmonary emboli or discernable residuals have been found post-service.,Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease and emphysema were noted on CT scans during active duty service, but the Veteran does not currently have these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disability is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and denied both claims. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated 10 percent disabling.

The Board found that the Veteran's current heart disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected, either on a direct basis or as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease, including atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and hypertension, status post myocardial infarction and coronary artery stenting, is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and an opinion regarding whether his hypertension is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (rheumatic heart disease and prostatitis) were found to be in equipoise, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions regarding whether VA treatment caused or contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant morning reports and providing a new VA medical opinion to address service connection for cardiovascular disability.

The Board has granted an initial 100 percent disability rating for the Veteran's coronary artery disease, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death prior to October 7, 2004 due to lack of evidence showing a causal link between his active military service and his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's current coronary artery disease is likely due to his service-connected hypertension, and granted service connection based on aggravation.

The Veteran's cause of death was advanced dementia, which is not service-connected. The other conditions contributing to his death (COPD, CAD, and seizure disorder) are also not service-connected. The Veteran did not meet the requirements for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disease and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected appendectomy scar did not cause or contribute to his death, and there is no evidence linking his lung disease, coronary artery disease, and chronic renal dysfunction to his period of service. The preponderance of the medical evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, SSA records, and in-service asbestos exposure records. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed respiratory disability, Asian flu with H2N2 virus, and heart disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the appellant's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to his various disabilities. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for further action.

The Board found no evidence of a heart injury or disease in service, and the Veteran does not have current diagnosed conditions for heart disorder, hypertension, blood disorder, or COPD. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining records from SSA, VA treatment records, and any relevant service treatment records. The Veteran will be provided with a cardiology examination to determine if his coronary artery disease began during service or is related to service. He will also be afforded orthopedic examinations for his right and left knee disabilities as well as his neck disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to address the appellant's claims for service connection for a heart disability and increased rating for his right ankle disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a myocardial infarction, finding that there was no evidence of coronary artery disease or history of heart attack. The VA examiner concluded that any previous chest pain and history were unlikely to be due to coronary artery disease.