Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and residuals of a stroke as secondary to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The case is REMANDED to the Louisville RO for this purpose.

The Veteran's heart disability is not deemed to be the result of VA carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill. The Board finds that there was no fault on the part of VA and the event leading to his heart disability (allergic reaction to sulfasalazine) was reasonably foreseeable.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest possible level (100%) due to total occupational and social impairment. The issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction, coronary heart disease, hypertension, a neurological disability, and peripheral vascular disease are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left leg disability and sciatica, prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that a TDIU rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial compensable rating are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from Social Security Administration (SSA) and updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's claimed disabilities of ischemic heart disease, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and glaucoma are not service-connected as they were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.,Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records since February 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease is rated at 60 percent, which meets the criteria for a TDIU as it precludes him from securing and following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the cause of the Veteran's death, cardiac arrest, was secondary to his service-connected left knee disarticulation. As a result, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung cancer, heart condition (claimed as cardiac disease), GERD, memory loss or mood disorder, and tremors are all related to his service due to lead exposure. The effective date is not specified.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disease and muscle jerking were not incurred in service, but may be aggravated by Gulf War exposure. The effective date for service connection is not established.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to service connection for COPD and heart disability, including a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the relationship between current lung condition and asbestos exposure in service.

The Board has ordered additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records for the Veteran. The appeal is remanded to allow for this development and subsequent re-adjudication.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and ischemic cardiomyopathy due to exposure to herbicides, effective November 18, 2004. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is denied as the earliest possible effective date is August 20, 2001.

The Board found no current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's heart disease, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected hypertension. The appeals for Type II diabetes mellitus and prostate condition have been withdrawn.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder, chest pain, numbness, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's claims were not based on exposure to herbicides or other presumptive conditions.

The Veteran's initial ratings for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease were granted, with the rating for ischemic heart disease being increased to 30 percent effective July 7, 2015. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings remain on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disorder, including coronary atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease, is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.