Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2011

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, a heart disability, and other conditions. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are presumed to be the result of Agent Orange exposure during active service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, finding that there is no competent or credible evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymic disorder is rated at 70 percent, and his coronary artery disease, hypertension, and psoriasis are all found to be aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran also has a TDIU claim pending.

The Veteran's current coronary artery disease is not caused or made worse by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease, including coronary artery disease, is presumed to have been incurred in service. However, congestive heart failure cannot be granted under these provisions.

The Board has received notification that the appellant wishes to withdraw their appeal, leading to its dismissal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, including ischemic heart disease, which is presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, skin cancer, and coronary artery disease. The decision found that the Veteran did not have these conditions attributable to his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a lung disorder, skin condition, or peripheral vascular disease secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arteriosclerotic coronary heart disease is presumed to be due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled hearing. The case should be returned for further action, including scheduling another hearing of the Veteran's choosing.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder contributed substantially and materially to his death, which was caused by an acute myocardial infarction. The Board finds that the service-connected psychiatric disorder combined with other conditions to cause the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's cause of death, myocardial infarction due to coronary artery disease, was not service-connected as the Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and Meniere's disease have been granted due to exposure to herbicides during his service in Thailand. The Veteran served near the airbase perimeter where he was exposed to herbicides, which is considered presumptive service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, incurred in or aggravated by service. The Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease and erectile dysfunction as secondary to coronary artery disease were also denied.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his in-service smoking and does not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of service connection or higher ratings for most conditions, with some exceptions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection is denied.