Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of low back, left knee, sleep apnea, or heart disabilities and therefore cannot establish service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for colorectal cancer, coronary artery disease, and pulmonary hypertension as these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service.,A chronic disability resulting from an in-service measles infection was also denied as there is no evidence of such a condition.

The Veteran's claims for heart condition and hypertension were denied. The claim to reopen his peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity, was granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cause of death. The issue of compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is also inextricably intertwined with the main claim and must be addressed prior to adjudication.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease was granted an initial rating of 10 percent prior to August 4, 2010 and a staged rating of 30 percent from that date. The current effective date is not specified as the decision pertains to ongoing ratings.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, including residuals of myocardial infarction, has not met the criteria for a higher initial rating beyond 60 percent.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran, and his widow requested substitution as the appellant. The issue of entitlement to service connection for high cholesterol has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for hypertensive vascular disease secondary to organic heart disease with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and mitral valve prolapse. The Veteran's claim for a rating increase for his previously characterized paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was granted, but only at the 10% level effective April 17, 2010.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the Veteran's representative prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected coronary artery disease with atrial fibrillation, as well as his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is service connected as it was first manifested within a year of active duty service and there is no evidence indicating it is due to an undiagnosed illness or exposure in Southwest Asia. The Veteran's CAD and COPD are not found to be related to his hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and PTSD have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his disabilities.

The Veteran does not have ischemic heart disease, and the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease and an increased evaluation for PTSD was denied. The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease, and the Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for heart attack residuals and arteriosclerotic heart disease. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for a VA cardiovascular examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's diagnosed coronary artery disease did not begin during a period of active duty or active duty for training, and is not related to any service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for a heart disability cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and outstanding private medical records. The Veteran's claims for heart disability, hypertension, ulcerative colitis, residual left Achilles tendon disability, and bilateral ankle arthritis are currently under review.

The Veteran's service-connected arteriosclerotic heart disease and hypertension rendered him in need of care or assistance of another person to assist with various daily activities, leading to the grant of special monthly compensation based on a need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II as due to herbicide exposure are granted.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to arteriosclerotic heart disease, finding that it was not aggravated by military service. The appellant submitted new evidence but did not provide material information.