Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2011

The Veteran's death was due to apnea caused by the administration of Etomidate for cardioversion. The Board found no evidence of carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill or error in judgment on the part of VA in providing medical treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder and ischemic heart disease are service-connected due to exposure to herbicides during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease, which manifested during service and caused his death, was incurred in service. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the validity and amount of the overpayment, including whether it was created due to administrative error. The Veteran is also required to submit a financial status report.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicides during his active duty in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's eligibility for service connection for PTSD and a heart condition, including consideration of secondary service connection due to PTSD. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disorder and lung disorder are not service connected, with no presumption of exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and found that he meets the criteria for this condition. Service connection is also granted for ischemic cardiomyopathy and coronary artery disease, which are presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The issue of hypertension is remanded as it may be secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and determining if any diagnosed condition is related to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating, bilateral knee disorder, abdominal disorder, and heart condition were denied. The Board found no evidence of current right knee disability or a relationship between the left knee disorder and service.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension, both presumed to be due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The effective date remains pending as the Veteran's notice of disagreement on this issue is still pending.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam-era service in the Philippines qualifies him for presumptive service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disability, including coronary artery disease and aortic stenosis, was not incurred in active service. The congenital bicuspid aortic valve present at birth was not worsened by any superimposed disease or injury during service.

The Veteran's cause of death was an acute myocardial infarction. His arteriosclerotic heart disease with unstable angina, for which he received non-service-connected pension benefits, did not contribute to his death.

The Veteran's claims for right bundle branch block and coronary artery disease with stress induced angina are being remanded due to the need to provide proper notification of what evidence would be necessary to substantiate his claim, including the bases for the prior denial.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a VA cardiology examination and providing an opinion on whether any identified heart disorder is caused or chronically worsened by the service-connected heart murmur.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic heart disorder, finding that his cardiovascular disease was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected residuals of infectious hepatitis.

The Board is requesting additional clarification and evidence regarding the Veteran's heart condition, specifically whether he had ischemic heart disease or congestive heart failure that contributed to his death. The case will be returned for further review.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed ischemic heart disease is presumed to have been incurred during active military service. The Veteran's hypertension, while not directly related to his service-connected ischemic heart disease, may be secondary to it.