Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2011

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a heart disorder, manifested by hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, and chest pain. The decision also addresses his claims for bilateral hearing loss and an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claims for psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and heart disease, including ischemic heart disease, were denied as there was no credible evidence of an in-service stressor sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD. The Board also found that the current heart disorder is not related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate condition, respiratory disorder including asthma and COPD, hypertension, and hypertensive cardiovascular or arteriosclerotic heart disease were denied as the evidence does not show these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, diabetic retinopathy, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted the appellant's request to reopen her claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The new evidence submitted since the last denial supports reopening the claim, but a VA medical opinion is needed to determine if the service-connected PTSD contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete service dates, need for a VA examination and medical opinion, and need for further clarification of the Veteran's hypertension claim.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for more detailed explanations of the VA examiner's conclusions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 4, 2007, for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities alone precluded gainful employment prior to this date.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date of the award of a 20 percent disability rating for his service-connected left talus fracture residuals was denied. The claim for heart disease service connection was also denied, and the issue concerning whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a service connection claim for a bilateral knee disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

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 cardiovascular disorders are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction and cardiomyopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and coronary artery disease, finding no current disability as defined by VA criteria. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between any diagnosed conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated medical evaluations for her service-connected bronchial asthma, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The issues of a compensable evaluation prior to June 10, 2004 and an evaluation in excess of 30 percent beginning June 10, 2004 for service-connected bronchial asthma are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed hypertension is a result of his service-connected CAD, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease with bradycardia was granted due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange. Claims for hypogammaglobulinemia and bilateral hearing loss were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, heart disease, hypertension, and endocarditis. The evidence did not show that these conditions began during or were otherwise caused by his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected heart condition did not cause or contribute to his death from ischemic colitis. The appellant's assertions were not supported by medical evidence.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding that hypertension and varicose veins are related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disease was not incurred or aggravated during his active service, and is not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability. The claim for secondary service connection based on the Veteran's skin disorder (eczematous dermatitis) is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic obstructive and restrictive lung disease, major depressive disorder and anxiety, onychomycosis (secondary to diabetes mellitus), left shoulder disability, hypertension (secondary to diabetes mellitus), heart disease (including congestive heart failure and edema of the legs) (presumptively due to Agent Orange exposure), PTSD, and granted an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus. The Board also remanded the issue of SMC based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.