Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his failure to respond to the Board's request for clarification regarding whether he still wishes to pursue any issues on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is related to his military combat.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart disorder, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder, and stroke. The evidence did not establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, CAD, and hypertension were not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's death was caused by septicemia, pneumonia, coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, and clostridium difficile colitis. These conditions were not related to his service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and considering new medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for a right ankle disorder or heart disorder, and thus these claims are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, including coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction residuals, ischemic heart disease, arteriosclerosis, and angina pain, is being remanded due to the need for another hearing.

The Board determined that there was no competent evidence linking the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and its associated conditions to his chemical exposure during service. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service or actual exposure to herbicides. As a result, presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current heart conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus type II are presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board found that a 100% evaluation for rheumatic heart disease was not factually ascertainable prior to May 12, 2008. The Veteran's TDIU claim from February 7, 2003 to May 12, 2008 is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus type 2 is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran served in the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty, and thus is presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents. As a result, he meets the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his death.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is currently rated at 10 percent, effective November 17, 2005. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating based on METs levels or other criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus contributed substantially or materially to his death from arteriosclerotic heart disease. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and therefore denied the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, attributing it to his service-connected PTSD. The other conditions were not found to be related to service.