Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2011

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for chest pain (excluding CAD), epididymitis, and epididymal/scrotal cyst. The issues of service connection for hypertension, depression, coronary artery disease, gastrointestinal disability, and back disability are being decided on their merits.

The Board dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal on these issues.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if any current chronic headaches, cavernous sinus tumor, or heart disorder are related to active service or ACDUTRA.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an effective date prior to September 9, 2008, for service connection for the cause of her husband's death. The appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a request for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded to determine if his claimed disabilities are related to vaccinations received in service, and for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the cause of the Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a cardiovascular disorder, including heart murmur, atrial fibrillation, cardiomyopathy, cardiomegaly and coronary artery disease. The Board finds that the current appeal requires additional development due to lack of a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board is dismissing the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed heart disorder is related to his service-connected PTSD. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to the Veteran's testimony indicating worsening symptoms and preference for staying home.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and denied the claim for service connection for a heart disorder as secondary to service-connected headaches.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart disability and skin disability, finding that there is no currently diagnosed condition related to his service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including numbness of the legs, respiratory disorder, blood disorder, weight disorder, and a disorder associated with fatigue, dizziness, and light headedness, are denied as secondary to his congenital heart disorder. The left shoulder disorder claim is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease and granted service connection for a right knee disability, both on the basis of secondary service connection due to pre-existing conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD, warranting a grant of service connection for this condition. The claim for retinopathy remains denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The VA determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease was not caused by his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The Board found no evidence of a direct link between the Veteran's service-connected diabetes and his coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus disability is currently rated at 40 percent, which more nearly approximates the criteria for a rating of 40 percent based on symptoms requiring insulin and regulation of activities.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of rheumatic fever, to include a heart disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disorder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II are not related to service. The appeal for these conditions is denied.