Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of his heart disease and hypertension, and ensuring all claims are readjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a video conference hearing at the Waco RO for him.

The Board has vacated its previous decision, finding that the Veteran was denied his right to representation at a hearing and thus allowing for due process.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for verification of the Veteran's service in Vietnam and his service personnel records. The claim will be reconsidered based on this additional information.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, diagnosed as coronary artery disease, based on presumed exposure to herbicides in Korea. Service connection is also granted for high cholesterol, but only as part of the already established service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or coronary artery disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current heart disorder is not related to his military service and therefore, denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for multiple arthralgias, respiratory disorder, and heart disability have been denied. The issues of service connection for a respiratory disorder and heart disability are pending as they require additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, which is presumed to be a result of herbicide exposure, has been granted service connection and assigned a noncompensable rating.,Both the right and left lower extremities have been rated at 40 percent for peripheral vascular disease based on symptoms including claudication and trophic changes.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction, between November 1, 2006, through February 12, 2007, was denied by the Board. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during this period.

The Veteran's heart disorder, specifically an old myocardial infarction, is presumed to be related to service due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease, finding that there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or a direct link between the conditions and active duty. The secondary claim for coronary artery disease due to diabetes was also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder and his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for treatment received through the VA for a heart disorder due to lack of evidence showing causation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease, including myocardial infarction, is presumed to have been caused by exposure to herbicides in Vietnam and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's heart disorder, including coronary artery disease and ischemic heart disease, is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that none of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or contributed to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's pension benefits were denied due to his incarceration. His service-connection claims for left knee, heart, and hepatitis B disabilities are being reopened based on new evidence. The right ankle disability claim is still pending.

The Veteran's claim for travel pay to obtain a prosthetic leg and shower leg from the Institute for Advancement in Prosthetics (IAP) in Lansing, Michigan was granted as it is deemed necessary due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review of the Veteran's claims, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining additional medical opinions. The appeal involves multiple issues arising from different rating decisions spanning over two decades.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the effective date for his service connection for coronary artery disease, status-post myocardial infarction and coronary artery bypass graft was denied by the Board.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including confirmation of herbicide exposure and a VA examination to determine if any skin rash is related to service. The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, skin rash, and rheumatic heart disease due to herbicide exposure are pending.