Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not shown to be related to his service-connected coronary artery disease, and thus denied his claim for secondary service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral defective hearing, hypertension, and heart disease secondary to hypertension due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart condition, and low back and neck disabilities. Service connection was not established for the liver condition or hearing loss.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease and hypertension, status post pacemaker implant and aortic valve replacement were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found no evidence of such conditions during service or within one year after separation.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to his military service, and there were no pending claims for accrued benefits at the time of his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are related to his service-connected conditions. The decision is mixed as it finds some evidence supporting the claims but also acknowledges equipoise in others.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, arteriosclerotic heart disease resulting in coronary insufficiency and myocardial failure, was not caused by or substantially contributed to his death by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected cardiovascular disease was granted an increased rating to 60 percent effective June 20, 2007. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's status post coronary artery bypass graft is currently evaluated at 60 percent disabling, which meets the criteria for a 100 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7017. The claims for increased evaluations of his degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine are denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of the record, including obtaining private treatment records and providing a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed disorders.

The Veteran is found to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, particularly his PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's CAD and whether it was caused or chronically worsened by PTSD.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal for the issues related to depression, bipolar disorder, and atrial fibrillation. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a video-conference hearing. The Veteran's claims for service connection and reopening of previously denied claims are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss or tinnitus disorder related to his military service, and there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection between his hypertension, heart disease, and erectile dysfunction with his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction, from February 13, 2007 to March 27, 2011 was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7005.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's bicuspid aortic valve, hypertension, and any other heart disease found.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective from the date of the grant of service connection. The Veteran's PTSD is currently productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions or exposure to asbestos in service caused his death. The appellant is also provided with new notice letter and an opportunity to submit additional evidence.

The Veteran's initial ratings for hypertension and coronary artery disease were denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.