Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with service connection for hypertension and a heart disorder, including a murmur. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again after obtaining additional medical records and conducting further examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for the claimed conditions, including as secondary to radiation exposure. The Veteran's claims are supported by medical evidence and his own statements.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to the need to obtain additional medical records and authorize release of relevant records from Moses Taylor Hospital.

The Veteran's claim for increased SMC is being remanded due to the need to address a new matter of service connection for ischemic heart disease, which may be related to his existing disabilities. The case will also be reviewed in light of any additional loss of use due to ischemic heart disease or a cerebrovascular accident.

The claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was dismissed as the RO granted it during the appeal process.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current gastrointestinal disability, residuals of rectal cancer, is related to service exposure to herbicides. The cardiac disability was not found to be directly related to service.

The Veteran's service connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment. The Board has granted a total rating based on individual unemployability due to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA in the Army Reserves. The VA will obtain these records and provide a supplemental statement of the case if any benefit sought remains denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions, including whether they are related to his military service or any herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his coronary artery insufficiency and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which were found to be etiologically related to his diabetes mellitus. As such, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and ischemic heart disease, are not related to his active service or any service-connected disabilities. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which he claims is secondary to his diabetes mellitus or coronary artery disease. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the lack of an adequate opinion regarding the relationship between hypertension and both diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected residuals of a germ cell tumor (seminoma) of mediastinum, as well as any heart and arm disorders. The claims will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disorder and hypertension are related to his service-connected PTSD, granting these claims.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. However, additional development is needed to determine whether the coronary artery disease contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease has not resulted in significant symptoms such as dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope at a workload of 5-7 METs. The disability does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the need for special adapted housing and equipment, which has been granted. The claim for a special home adaptation grant is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease have been granted. The claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be service-connected due to exposure to noise during his active duty. The claim for a TDIU rating is granted based on the combined disability ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for arthritis of both knees, bronchial asthma, and urinary tract infection. The claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 60 percent for ischemic heart disease was also denied.