Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including heart condition, hypertension, sleep apnea, arthritis, restless leg syndrome, fibromyalgia, allergies, and residuals of a right leg injury, were denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an eye disability, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and dental trauma have been dismissed. The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, and muscle breakdown as they were not permanently worsened by the appellant's reserve duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to his cause of death, and thus grants the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's disabilities prevent him from protecting himself from the hazards of his environment, meeting the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's heart disability has been rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a heart disability due to service connection as there is no evidence linking any current condition to his active or inactive duty service. The claim for service connection for a heart disability is denied.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic heart disability during service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of coronary artery bypass graft surgery, including an infection of the sternum resulting in a sternotomy, scars, muscle loss and atrophy has been granted under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to VA hospital care causing an additional disability not reasonably foreseeable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis or etiology for the claimed conditions.,For the status post excision of lipoma on the left buttock, an initial compensable evaluation (10%) has been granted.

The Board has determined that further development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits records. A new examination by a VA examiner will be scheduled to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted due to his exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam-era service. Claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and neuropathy in the upper and lower extremities are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and coronary heart disease, both secondary to his PTSD, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and thus no presumption of exposure to herbicides applies. The claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, coronary artery disease, and cerebral vascular disease have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying herbicide exposure and obtaining a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service-connected residuals of a hernia do not warrant an increased rating or earlier effective date. The Board found that the current evaluation adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for ischemic heart disease, diagnosed as coronary heart disease, status post-acute myocardial infarction, due to exposure to herbicides during active service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for arthritis of the spine and muscle and joint deterioration have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded his claims for increased rating for lumbar laminectomy and discectomy, bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for a heart condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease and hypertension are related to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service, warranting service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, finding that the current condition is at least as likely as not related to service. Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus type II.