Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2014

The Veteran's heart condition, including pericarditis, was not diagnosed during his period of service and there is no competent medical evidence linking any current heart condition to service. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he can perform sedentary work despite his physical and psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran does not have a current heart disorder and the evidence does not support service connection for his claimed condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff disability, DJD and DDD of the lumbar spine, and heart disability (to include hypertension and CAD) were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found no evidence of the Veteran's service at Fort Chaffee or exposure to herbicides, thus denying his claim for ischemic heart disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral vascular disease is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cardiovascular disorders, including hypertension and myocardial infarction. The RO must obtain additional evidence and provide a new examination if necessary.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence, including a recent grant of service connection for coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated private and VA treatment records, scheduling appropriate VA examinations, and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for service connection of coronary artery disease, but the issues pertaining to hairy cell or other B-cell leukemia, anemia, and jaw disorder were withdrawn by his attorney. The claim for TDIU based on heart disability is also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease and painful joints (claimed as multiple joint arthralgia of all major joints) did not have their onset during active military service, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease, presumed due to herbicide exposure, is granted. For his PTSD with depressive and cognitive disorders, a 50 percent rating is granted effective March 23, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is for a higher initial rating of his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD). The RO granted service connection and assigned an initial 10 percent rating, effective April 9, 2010. However, the Veteran contends that he warrants a higher rating based on METs and ejection fraction results.

The Veteran's effective date for additional compensation for his dependent spouse is denied as it cannot be earlier than October 1, 2011 due to the timing of notification and submission of required forms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including the need for a VA examination to address his lumbar spine disability and its relationship to service. The other issues are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the resolution of the service connection claim.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits is denied because he did not serve during a period of war, and therefore does not meet the legal criteria for entitlement to such benefits.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a cardiovascular disorder, including ischemic heart disease and hypertension, was denied as there is no evidence of inservice herbicide exposure or actual exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance was granted effective January 3, 2007. The condition arose from his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his service-connected coronary artery disease and chronic kidney disease are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the February 2012 VA examination reports in assessing the current severity of these conditions.

The Board found no evidence of service-connected hypertension, heart disease, or diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's conditions were not shown during service or within one year following discharge.