Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to insufficient evidence of the current severity of his cardiac disability. Further examination and records are needed before a decision can be made.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating, in excess of 10 percent prior to June 1, 2008, in excess of 30 percent from June 1, 2008, and in excess of 40 percent disabling from March 3, 2010, for coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass graft surgery has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion from Dr. D.D.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD substantially contributed to his death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran is seeking TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, but the case has been remanded for further examination and assessment of his employability.

The Board found that there was no evidence of diabetes mellitus or ischemic heart disease in service, and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to exposure to herbicides. The right knee arthritis is considered secondary to a service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's coronary artery disease is aggravated by her service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's heart disease is service-connected, but not due to his military service. The edema of the lower extremities and hepatitis C are also service-connected.,An effective date for the award of a 50 percent evaluation for hepatitis C prior to May 26, 2010 has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's service record regarding his alleged exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a heart disorder.

The Veteran's dermatitis of the right hand is found to be due to service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Board finds that there is not enough evidence to establish a direct link between his current hearing loss disability or heart disorder (Wolfe-Parkinson-White syndrome) and his active duty in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease is set at March 8, 1986, based on a presumption of herbicide exposure. Claims to reopen for rheumatic fever with residual heart murmur of mitral regurgitation and residuals of a stroke are denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the claim and granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to cardiomyopathy, finding that it is as likely as not that the disability manifested within one year of separation from active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease was a contributory cause of his death from congestive heart failure, and the Board grants entitlement to service connection for the cause of death.

The Board found no credible evidence to support the Veteran's claims of exposure to herbicides or service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to ischemic heart disease, which is presumed based on exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the shoulder, hands, and elbows. The heart disability issue is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease, and thus service connection for this condition is denied. The kidney problems are also addressed as part of the issues on appeal.