Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, hemorrhoids, and an initial rating for coronary artery disease are being REMANDED due to the need for additional development. The claim for increase for right lower extremity arteriosclerosis is also being REMANDED.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and hypertension are granted due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam-era service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to extend a temporary total disability rating beyond December 31, 2008 due to left knee surgery. The appeal for service connection for heart disability and residuals of chest contusion was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete STRs and requests for additional records. Service connection will be reconsidered based on the newly obtained information.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure during the Vietnam Era.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and further review of the claim.

The Veteran's left leg disorder and coronary artery disease with coronary artery bypass graft residuals were not incurred in service.,VA failed to provide proper care or consent for the Veteran's coronary artery disease with coronary artery bypass graft residuals, resulting in compensable harm.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claims, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected coronary artery disease and whether he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding hearing requests and the Veteran's request for a Board hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and potential need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his heart disability and issuance of a statement of the case regarding the right wrist disability.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for heart disorder and hypertensive vascular disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's hypertension has been found to be at least as likely as not permanently aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. As a result, the claim for secondary service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disorder, heart disorder, and disorder of the feet and/or legs. The decision is based on the lack of evidence associating these conditions with his military service.

The medical expert determined that the Veteran's rapidly progressive vascular/cardiac disease was at least as likely as not related to his period of active service, resolving doubt in favor of the appellant.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have active rheumatic fever or any residual disability related to his in-service condition. The VA and private medical records do not document rheumatic heart disease, and the April 2011 VA examiner found no evidence of such a condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to March 3, 2009.

The Veteran seeks service connection for coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction, which he claims is related to his service-connected major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an examination to determine the etiology of any current cardiovascular disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have coronary artery disease that is attributable to active military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease was granted, with the effective date set at August 31, 2010. This decision is based on the liberalizing law that established presumptive service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure.