Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction was denied as there is no evidence showing onset prior to his discharge from active duty in 1954. The effective date granted is November 1, 2000.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic hypertension and chronic coronary artery disease are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's cardiac disability, specifically coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction, is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The other conditions are not currently service-connected.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining records and a VA examination. Additionally, service connection for ischemic heart disease as presumptive to Agent Orange exposure is also in question.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and left shoulder disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after separation. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that any current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected rheumatic heart disease and coronary artery disease prevent him from securing and maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations and additional medical records. The issues of service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II (presumptive due to Vietnam service), heart disability, and neurological disability are on appeal.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The Veteran's claims were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence to support a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (claimed as coronary artery disease) but denied the underlying claim due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's heart condition, including cardiomyopathy and mild pulmonary hypertension, is being reviewed to determine if it is related to service or the service-connected rheumatic fever.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disorders, including peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal issues. The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic renal cell carcinoma, which the VA examiner determined to be a post-mortem condition. However, hypertension and cigarette smoking were found to have contributed to his development of renal cell carcinoma. The Board finds that hypertension did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case will be processed again after the rescheduled hearing.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, concluding that lung cancer and heart disease were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities, including rheumatic heart disease and gout. The RO/AMC must also obtain all available treatment records from the Manila Outpatient Clinic.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused in part by his service-connected coronary artery disease, which is presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure during service. As such, the appellant is granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board found that hypertension and heart disease were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of chronicity during service. The Veteran's current conditions are unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus do not warrant a higher evaluation, and the Board finds that he is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.