Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have current right and left peripheral vascular disease related to his active duty for training in the National Guard. The claims of service connection for residuals of a right rotator cuff injury, hypertension, erectile dysfunction (ED), coronary artery disease (CAD) with left ventricular dysfunction are REMANDED.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to decide the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and ischemic heart disease. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations, and his medical records should be requested.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU and Chapter 35 benefits was granted effective from January 5, 2009.,Service connection for heart disease was also granted on the merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his coronary artery disease and lower extremity conditions, warrant an award of automobile and adaptive equipment as well as specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disorders and stroke residuals are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and Social Security Administration disability records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and diabetes, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran does not have a heart disorder, to include congestive heart failure (CHF) or aortic valve syndrome (AVS), that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to reopen her husband's previously denied service connection claim for a heart disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been received. The cause of death was also not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and updating his records.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder, fibromyalgia, sleep disorder and gastrointestinal disorder. The Veteran's cardiovascular disease was initially manifested many years after service and is not shown to be related to his service or to have been caused by a service-connected disability.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis of fibromyalgia, sleep disorder or gastrointestinal disorder (to include GERD, acid reflux, hiatal hernia, heartburn and IBS). The articles submitted do not establish a cause and effect relationship between PTSD and these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal regarding an increased evaluation for coronary artery disease, status-post coronary angioplasty has been withdrawn. The remaining issues of service connection and TDIU are being remanded.

The Board has determined that none of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or contributed to his death from positional asphyxia due to a car accident.

The Veteran does not have diagnosed conditions of malaria or a heart disorder related to his military service. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and bilateral leg neuropathy are being remanded due to incomplete records. The VA will seek additional private treatment records, radiation exposure dose estimates, and arrange for an examination if necessary.

The Veteran's heart disorders are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his current diagnoses.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current heart disability, including hypertension with mild left ventricular hypertrophy, mitral regurgitation, and pulmonary hypertension, is not etiologically related to his in-service diagnosis of rheumatic valvulitis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease was denied as he did not submit a formal or informal claim prior to February 22, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease and atrial fibrillation is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination, as well as obtaining additional medical records from his cardiologist.