Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to reopening previously denied claims for service connection for residuals of pneumonia and a heart disability. The Veteran's challenges regarding clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in previous rating decisions are also pending.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a heart disorder due to new and material evidence. However, additional development is needed to determine whether the Veteran's heart disorder is related to service or his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's initial and subsequent ratings for coronary artery disease are being remanded due to the need to obtain private treatment records from Good Samaritan Hospital and to provide a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 18, 2012.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was not caused by VA treatment, and therefore, does not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if the Veteran's service aboard the USS Kyes in Vietnam constituted 'brown water' service, which would entitle him to presumptive service connection for organic heart disease due to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension, and thus service connection for this condition is denied. The remaining issues are also denied as there is no evidence of chronic conditions during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected coronary artery disease/ischemic heart disease, and for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to Agent Orange, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and counseling evaluation folder. The inextricably intertwined psychiatric disorder claim will also be adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the case for further proceedings due to a need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's hypertension is not presumed to be due to herbicide exposure, and the Board has requested an opinion on whether it is related to his service-connected PTSD. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Board denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and the request to reopen the DIC claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The issue of an increased rating for PTSD remains in appellate status, and the Veteran has not perfected his appeal of the denial of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and cervical spine disorder have been denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to his request for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection for prostate cancer and coronary artery disease (claimed as ischemic heart disease) remain on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were granted, with the effective dates being determined based on the date of receipt of his informal claim or the earliest date as of which it is factually ascertainable that an increase in disability had occurred.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease can be adjudicated. The Veteran's most recent VA examination in January 2014 was deemed inadequate, and a new examination will be needed to assess his current condition.