Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a thorough and contemporaneous medical examination, as well as obtaining relevant treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current heart disorder or back disorder that is related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of hearing loss, tinnitus, and heart disorder do not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative changes of the lumbar spine with scoliosis were incurred during service and granted service connection for this condition. The heart disability claim was denied as there is no evidence to support its onset or causation in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is not due to an event or incident of his period of active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's sleep apnea, and as a result, his claim of entitlement to service connection for a heart disorder is no longer on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining inpatient records from the 121st Medical Evacuation Hospital and providing a VA medical opinion. The claim will be adjudicated again after these steps.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination, including an exercise stress test. The current rating assigned for his heart disability remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's cause of death was metastatic renal cell cancer. CAD, which is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam, played a contributory role in his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease due to Agent Orange exposure, as the Veteran did not have a current disability and there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The other issues were also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current heart condition is not related to his active service, including any chest complaints noted therein.

The Board has decided that a remand is required to obtain relevant VA treatment records and provide the Veteran with a VA examination to determine whether he has ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and hypertension have not met the criteria for a higher disability rating from October 1, 2006 to June 24, 2007, or beginning June 25, 2007.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and denied service connection for a heart disorder, concluding that the condition did not arise during or as a result of active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially to his death from acute renal failure and coronary artery disease.

The Board determined that the Veteran's anxiety reaction did not contribute to his death, as there was no evidence of a service-connected condition contributing to his underlying conditions. The cause of death listed on the death certificate was respiratory failure due to advanced lung cancer.

The Veteran's CAD is rated at 30 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher initial rating. The claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current heart disorder, including ischemic heart disease. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and heart disorders are service-connected as they were incurred during his active duty service.