Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2011

The Veteran's death was due to alcoholic cirrhosis and alcohol abuse, which is not service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD did not cause or contribute substantially to his death.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen any of the Veteran's service connection claims, including for peripheral neuropathy of the right leg, left leg, elbow, neck, low back, shoulder disabilities, carpal tunnel syndrome, or heart disorder. The claimant's statements regarding abdominal pain are deemed not credible.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal for increased disability rating for service-connected compensated class III hypertensive cardiovascular disease, status post quadruple stent placement with coronary artery disease, and an old myocardial infarction, status post pacemaker placement.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted at a 50 percent disability rating, effective August 14, 2006. The heart disorder due to herbicide exposure and chronic headaches are presumed based on the Veteran's Vietnam service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development of his claims, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The claim for service connection for a heart condition remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service. The claims were not granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, hypertension, or any other condition.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for heart disease is being remanded due to the presence of ischemic heart disease, a condition that can be presumed based on Vietnam service and herbicide exposure. The case will be returned to the Board for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not suffer from any of his claimed conditions during service or for many years thereafter, and there is no credible evidence to support a finding of exposure to herbicides. Therefore, the criteria for service connection have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for payment of unauthorized medical expenses is denied as the preponderance of evidence shows he was stable for transfer to a VA facility on May 22, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for bronchial asthma and service connection for a heart condition were denied. The Veteran's bronchial asthma is currently rated as non-compensably disabling, while the heart condition claim was not addressed due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, including coronary artery disease, is presumed to have been incurred during his active service in the Republic of Vietnam due to exposure to herbicide agents like Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a change in the hearing officer and the Veteran's request for another Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the relationship between his current COPD and coronary artery disease with hypertension and angina, including any service-related exposure.

The Veteran's death was caused by a disease (myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease) that is presumed to be linked to his military service due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. Therefore, the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's service-connected atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction, and hypertension are found to render him unemployable due to his heart condition. The RO has ordered additional VA examination and requested updated treatment records.

The Veteran's spouse is denied enhanced DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1311(a)(2) because the Veteran was not rated totally disabled for at least 8 continuous years immediately preceding his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated medical records. The issues of rating his arteriosclerotic heart disease and dermatophytosis are the main points of concern.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including coronary artery disease and hypertension, are rated at the maximum level of 100 percent since April 28, 2005. The Board has granted this rating based on its determination that it is warranted due to their overall impact on his ability to function in a work setting.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including medical examinations and records.

The Board found that service-connected schizophrenia did not cause or contribute substantially to the Veteran's death from respiratory failure with aspiration and coronary artery disease. The appellant's contention of a motor vehicle accident as a result of mental instability was not supported by evidence.