Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran's current cardiovascular disorder, including hypertensive heart disease and left ventricular hypertrophy, was not incurred or aggravated during service. The examiner opined that it is less likely than not related to service, especially as there is no evidence of in-service treatment for hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The initial evaluation for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction was granted, but the claim for hypertension was not addressed as it arose after a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 12, 1997 for the grant of service connection for rheumatic heart disease is denied as he did not appeal the April 2006 rating decision. The Veteran's rheumatic heart disease is currently rated at 60 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining verification of the Veteran's periods of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA service and any relevant medical records. The Veteran will also be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if his diabetes and heart disorder are related to his Reserve service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC due to his failure to appear for a previously scheduled hearing. The Veteran requested a new hearing and indicated he preferred it be held in another city.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and peripheral neuropathy, both claimed as due to herbicide exposure, were denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service events or diseases related to these conditions, and the presumption of herbicide exposure does not apply given the Veteran's lack of documented service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's heart disability is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing its onset in service or within one year after discharge. The erectile dysfunction claim was not addressed as it does not involve a presumptive exposure basis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's heart conditions other than coarctation of the aorta.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease has not resulted in congestive heart failure, a workload of less than or equal to 5 METs, or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 50% or less since April 22, 2008. Therefore, the claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore, service connection for the cause of his death is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records to determine if the Veteran's heart disorder, including coronary artery disease, is related to his service or secondary to his already service-connected mitral regurgitation.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and he did not receive any VA compensation or pension benefits at the time of his death. The appellant's application for non-service connected burial benefits is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, including as due to herbicide exposure, is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. Therefore, service connection for Parkinson's disease and coronary artery disease cannot be granted based on herbicide exposure.

The Veteran does not have a heart disorder, to include ischemic heart disease, which was incurred or aggravated in service. The Board finds that the claim must be denied as there is no current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertensive heart disease, which was first diagnosed during active military service. The Veteran's medical records show consistent evidence of this condition throughout his period of service and post-service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and heart conditions are not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any presumptive exposure basis. The VA examiner found that PTSD did not cause or permanently worsen either condition.

The Veteran's myocardial infarction is not considered to be the result of VA care, and therefore, he does not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not in need of aid and attendance or housebound due to her disabilities, thus denying the claim for increased rate of dependency and indemnity compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or on being housebound.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder, an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, and an effective date prior to December 10, 2007, for TDIU.