Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2012

The Board found no evidence of the Veteran's service in or near Vietnam, and thus could not establish herbicide exposure. The claims for heart disorder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were denied as there is insufficient evidence to link these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for hypertension, heart disease, and kidney failure as secondary to a bladder condition. The Veteran's claims are now pending before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for coronary artery disease, which he contends was caused by VA treatment in November 2001 and subsequent care, is denied as there is no evidence of negligence or fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at his local RO.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease was present to a compensable degree within one year following his discharge from qualifying active service in August 1996, and is therefore presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any current heart disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not present during service and is not related to his in-service episodes of dizziness, which were likely due to physical training. The VA examiner concluded there was no evidence of hypertension being present at any time during or immediately after service.,Regarding CAD, the Board noted that while the Veteran has a history of coronary artery disease, the onset date provided by the private physician (1988) is not supported by the STRs and other medical records. The VA examiner concluded there was no evidence to suggest hypertension was present during service.

The Board has determined that the cause of the Veteran's death, arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease with posttraumatic seizure disorder, was not related to service and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by a service-connected disability. Service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of the condition during his lifetime.

The VA compensation medical opinion determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death from interstitial lung disease. The primary cause of death was listed as interstitial lung disease, which caused acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) resulting in the Veteran's demise.

The Veteran's ASCAD has been manifested by dyspnea and fatigue resulting from physical activity, which is contemplated by the applicable rating schedule criteria. The effects of his ASCAD have not warranted referral to the appropriate VA officials for consideration on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and coronary artery disease, have rendered him unemployable since May 2006. As a result, his claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective December 10, 2002.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted based on in-service noise exposure and current medical evidence.

The Veteran's service connection for ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and hypertension is granted as these conditions are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, erectile dysfunction, and major depressive disorder. The claim for narcolepsy was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a heart disorder, which was previously denied in 1983. The reopening is based on evidence showing a history of cardiac issues dating back to childhood and during military service.

The Veteran's bone growth under the nose is not related to service or any incident of service, including exposure to ionizing radiation.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosed heart disorder and his chest pains are attributed to a lung disorder. Therefore, service connection for a heart disorder cannot be granted.,The Veteran's hypertension is not related to service or any incident of service, including exposure to ionizing radiation.,The Veteran's lung disorder (chronic bronchitis) is not related to service or any incident of service, including exposure to ionizing radiation.,The Veteran's foot disorders are not related to service or any incident of service, including exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's current hypertension, hypertensive heart disease/congestive heart failure, and atrial fibrillation are found to be aggravated by his service-connected disabilities (diabetes mellitus, type II; right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy; right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy; diabetic neuropathy; mild non-obstructive atherosclerotic coronary artery disease).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Appellant is not eligible for survivor's benefits as an unremarried surviving spouse due to the timing and duration of her marriage to the Veteran.