Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a Travel Board hearing. His TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle disorder and heart disorder are related to his period of active duty service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, but the effective dates of these decisions are not specified. The Veteran was also denied new and material evidence claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and hypertensive heart disease did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and thus could not be presumed to be related to service. The Board concluded that there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease status post myocardial infarction was granted a 100% rating effective March 27, 2008. He is also entitled to TDIU and SMC under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) effective April 18, 2008.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have hypertension or a heart disability that is caused by his service-connected PTSD. The medical evidence does not support such a finding.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,For his respiratory disorder (to include emphysema) and heart disorder, further development is needed as these claims are currently pending.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including the application of new regulations regarding service connection for PTSD.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a heart disorder, which was previously denied in February 2001.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to ischemic heart disease, attributing it to exposure to Agent Orange. The claim was also remanded regarding whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen a DIC claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board found that the Veteran was not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities prior to December 1, 2006.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to inadequate examination reports and additional evidence is needed. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development of the reopened claim and the claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran is scheduled for a hearing at the RO before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a heart disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorders due to new and material evidence. However, the issues of service connection for bilateral eye disorders remain closed as they were not addressed in this decision.

The Board is seeking clarification on whether the Veteran's hypertension is due to or caused by his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease. The examiner must provide an opinion regarding both the direct relationship of hypertension to these conditions as well as any aggravation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's COPD was aggravated by exposure to contaminated oxygen, leading to worsening of his condition. The kidney tumor is considered secondary to this exposure. No heart disability has been established.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a colon disorder and heart condition were denied as there is no evidence of such conditions being incurred in or aggravated by his military service, including exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange. The presumptive provisions do not apply due to lack of combat participation.

The Board found that the Veteran's current heart disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, may not be presumed to be, and was neither caused nor aggravated by a service-connected disability.