Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2011

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by or substantially or materially contributed to by a disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty, and denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for cause of death, but it is not clear whether the Veteran's seizure disorder contributed substantially and materially to his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disorder and depressive disorder were not incurred or aggravated by his military service, including as secondary to a pre-existing condition. The evidence did not support granting service connection for either condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to his failure to report for a VA examination without good cause.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a heart disability, finding no evidence of such disability other than hypertension (HVD). The decision also noted that the Veteran had previously been diagnosed with PTSD and was presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange during his Vietnam service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain medical records and to provide the Veteran with an opinion regarding whether his service-connected psychiatric disability caused or aggravated any cardiovascular disorder, including hypertension.

The Board finds that the Veteran's atrial fibrillation and WPW syndrome were incurred in service, as there is credible evidence showing a pre-existing condition aggravated by military service. The coronary artery disease and chronic congestive heart failure are not related to service.

The Veteran died due to complications from a VA thoracentesis performed on July [redacted], 2002. The Board found that the death was not foreseeable and granted compensation for the cause of death under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board found no evidence of a heart condition or hypertension in service and denied the claims based on the absence of a link between current conditions and service.

The Veteran's hypertensive cardiovascular disease and coronary artery bypass graft residuals have been rated at 100 percent since October 13, 2005.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a respiratory disorder (asthma and COPD) and a heart condition were denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions had onset during or were aggravated by active duty service.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions as they are not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant before a decision was made.

The Veteran's lung disorder, diabetes mellitus, heart disorder, and depression have not been established as service-connected. The claims are denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability. The new evidence submitted includes statements and testimony from the Veteran alleging continuity of symptoms since his period of active service, which is considered material to reopening the claim. However, the Board finds that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's current bilateral eye disability was preexisting or aggravated by service. Service connection for blood clots and heart disability are also not established based on the available evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently-diagnosed coronary artery disease did not manifest in or is otherwise related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is granted service connection based on exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. Service connection for hypertension and hearing loss are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a heart disorder as secondary to his hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of cardiovascular disability and noting that the Veteran's symptoms were not cardiac in origin.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's heart condition is alleged to have been aggravated by military service in December 1998.