Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all, as the issues are related to the evaluation of existing disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cause of death, thrombosis of the right coronary artery with underlying coronary atherosclerosis, was not caused or aggravated by any service-connected disability. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that hypertension in service materially contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (hypertension and myocardial infarction status post coronary artery bypass grafting) are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disorder is not due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange or other disease or injury that was incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may any be presumed to have been incurred therein. The cervical spine disorder claim is also denied as there is no affirmative evidence to establish that the Veteran was not exposed to herbicides during his service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and coronary artery disease to obtain a medical opinion on whether his conditions are related to service-connected disabilities, specifically vascular headaches. The heart disorder claim is inextricably intertwined with the hypertension claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a heart disorder and/or hypertension, finding that there is no current evidence of these conditions and that any existing hypertension was not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the December 2010 VA medical examination report.,Additional evidence is needed, including treatment records from Maryview Hospital and OPM disability determinations.

The Veteran meets the basic eligibility requirements for assistance in acquiring a special home adaptation grant, but does not meet the criteria for specially adaptive housing.

The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for tachycardia or any other cardiovascular condition, as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to active duty. The Veteran's current heart issues are attributed to post-service events and treatment.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD and coronary artery disease with hypertension and angina are not related to his military service, including exposure to toxic gas or bronchitis during service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board found no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange, and the veteran's current disabilities were not shown during service or for many years thereafter. The Board denied service connection as there was no direct link between his claimed conditions and active duty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, and heart disease due to exposure to Agent Orange. The remaining claims are being remanded.

The Veteran has hearing loss in the left ear that is attributable to his time on active duty, and this condition is currently service-connected.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosed heart disorder related to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and complete the necessary forms. The claims of service connection for hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, and TDIU will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disorder, to include coronary artery disease. The Veteran's claim is now resolved in his favor.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, coronary artery disease, a back disorder and a neck disorder are all granted.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for essential hypertension and service connection for heart disease, including as secondary to service-connected essential hypertension, are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. Additional examinations may be needed to determine the appropriate ratings and whether the heart conditions are related to the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of diabetic nephropathy, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that any of his other conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected anxiety disorder was denied. The VA examiner found the symptoms did not cause total social and occupational impairment, but reduced reliability and productivity due to psychiatric symptoms.