Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2014

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death from asphyxia due to freshwater drowning.

The Veteran's sole service-connected condition, valvular heart disease (residuals of rheumatic fever), did not render him unemployable for the purposes of establishing entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to June 20, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, both presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran's claims are now remanded for the preparation of an SOC regarding his TDIU claim and initial rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and residuals of a stroke. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is currently evaluated at 60 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of cold weather injuries, PTSD, bilateral knee disability, and heart disability have been denied.,Service connection was not granted for epididymitis as new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current cardiovascular disease found, including rheumatic fever residuals and/or valvular heart disorder. The Veteran's service-connected conditions (PTB and erythema nodosum) are also considered in determining whether these conditions may be related to her current symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims and granted service connection for generalized anxiety disorder. The claims for hypertension, heart disease, and residuals of dental trauma are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart disorder, to include as secondary to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's atherosclerotic heart disease is found to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicides, and service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, were denied as there was no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange in Thailand and the claimed disabilities are not otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new examination by an appropriate medical doctor to determine the nature and etiology of any current heart disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not otherwise related to an injury, disease, or event in service. The Board also determined that it was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected Graves' disease.

The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease and high blood pressure are not related to his military service, including exposure to chemicals. The current conditions were attributed to multiple cardiac risk factors such as cigarette smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and a genetic predisposition.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for hypertension, and service connection for heart disease were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of any of these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and initial ratings for hypertension have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction or an increased schedular rating for hypertension.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure during his active duty in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, status post myocardial infarction was denied as there is no evidence of the condition during or within one year after his service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability and could not establish a link to service.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's request for withdrawal of her appeal.