Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2011

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development of records and medical evidence, including SSA benefits records and VA treatment records from the Veteran's period of active duty and Reserve service.

The Board found that a current heart disorder was not incurred in service and is unrelated to any injury, disease or event during service. The claim for service connection for the Veteran's heart disorder was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed kidney disorder, liver disorder, or residuals of a stroke. The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is not found to be the cause of his current heart disease.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining treatment records from VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics in Newark and Jersey City, New Jersey.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations and therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for this condition. Additionally, there is no evidence of a pulmonary embolism during or after his military service, and the medical opinion indicates it is less likely related to his service-connected costochondritis. As such, the Veteran's claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to a post-surgical stroke, but his service-connected rheumatic heart disease with murmur and rheumatic fever with joint involvement are not considered the primary or contributory causes.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability evaluation from 70% to 30% for rheumatic heart disease with cardiac neurosis and depression is not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development and consideration of his claim for a higher disability rating for rheumatic heart disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his coronary artery disease, bilateral knee sprain, lumbosacral strain, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of the current ratings under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's death was not caused by VA medical and surgical treatment, and the appellant is denied DIC benefits. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability resulting from coronary artery bypass graft and heart valve replacement is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) status post myocardial infarction, finding that new and material evidence had not been received. The July 2004 rating decision denying service connection was final.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's heart disorders are being evaluated to determine if they were caused or aggravated by his service-connected restrictive lung disease due to asbestosis.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C, heart disorder, and low back disorder are not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple conditions, including cellulitis, otitis media, tinnitus, nasopharyngeal cancer (claimed as throat cancer), diabetes mellitus, glaucoma (claimed as blindness), coronary artery disease, and degenerative joint disease of both knees. The preponderance of evidence is against the Veteran's claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's initial rating claim for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and depression due to additional development being necessary. This includes obtaining VA treatment records, a copy of his SSA file, and scheduling appropriate VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease, finding that there was no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year after discharge. The Veteran's service records did not show any diagnosis of hypertension or coronary artery disease.

The Board found no evidence of hypertension or heart disability in service and denied both claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension and heart condition were not present during service or within one year of discharge, and they are not etiologically related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service in Guam and Taiwan, and whether his inservice pleurisy and chest pain are related to his current conditions.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including heart disability, Type II diabetes mellitus, kidney disability, and hypertension. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure.