Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the Board finds that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, porphyria cutanea tarda (PCD), and PTSD. The Veteran's reports of in-service stressors are deemed unreliable.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records, as well as potential changes in his condition since the last examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA cardiac examination and updated medical records. The issues include seeking an increased rating for ischemic coronary artery disease and determining whether the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and hearing loss disability. The decision regarding hearing loss disability is pending as it relates to new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease with a history of congestive heart failure and myocardial infarction, finding it may be presumed to have been incurred in wartime service due to exposure to herbicide agents. The issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (coronary artery disease, hearing loss, and posttraumatic stress disorder) are severe enough to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bone cancer and a heart disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an opinion regarding whether these conditions were aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability or left ankle disability.

The VA determined that the Veteran's cause of death, massive ischemic bowel disease and coronary artery disease (CAD), was not related to his military service. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 8, 1999 for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing at the RO in Houston, Texas. The issues include service connection claims and rating disputes.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his heart conditions, including cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation, mitral valve prolapse, congestive heart failure, and placement of a biventricular pacing implantable defibrillator. The case will be returned to the Board after obtaining necessary medical opinions.

The Veteran's cause of death was a cerebrovascular event, which the VA examiner opined is not likely caused by his service-connected disabilities. The Board therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran does not have a heart disability or hypertension that is related to his service, including due to exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection for these conditions cannot be granted as they are not listed among the presumptive diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions and seeks additional ratings, as well as service connection for various disabilities. The case is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hypertension or ischemic heart disease due to his military service, and therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for DM type II, a heart disability, and throat cancer. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or any other etiological factor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction did not have onset during active service or within one year thereof, and were not caused by an event, disease, or injury during active service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other factors linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's heart disability, diagnosed as coronary artery disease, was caused by carelessness or negligence on the part of VA and is therefore eligible for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151. The appeal concerning entitlement to compensation for a kidney tumor has been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have ischemic heart disease and, although exposure to Agent Orange is conceded, he is not entitled to service connection for his heart disability on a presumptive basis. The evidence of record does not show or even suggest that the Veteran's current heart disability is related to his period of service.