Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder, hypertension, and a compensable disability rating for hepatitis C.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) disability records.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a BVA hearing. The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions and whether new evidence supports reopening of his left wrist condition claim.

The appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of records from Social Security Administration.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than August 10, 2009 for the grant of service connection for non-obstructive coronary artery disease with atrial fibrillations status post multiple failed cardioversions is denied.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and denied all claims for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disorder was not related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The cause of death is presumed due to a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disease did not manifest within one year of service and is not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. As such, the claim for service connection for heart disease is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and addressing the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to DIC under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disabilities, and none of the conditions which were the causes of his death can be presumptively service-connected or connected on a direct basis. The evidence does not support the Appellant's contentions.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, post-surgery, resulted in a left ventricular ejection fraction of 50 percent between June 30, 2007 and October 16, 2014, which meets the criteria for a 60% disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than alcohol abuse was granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease status post myocardial infarction was granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicides in the Republic of Vietnam. The effective date is September 14, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, cardiac failure due to or as a consequence of congestive cardiomyopathy, is presumed to be caused by his service-connected ischemic heart disease, which in turn is presumed to have been caused by herbicide exposure during service. As such, the Board finds that the Veteran's death was caused by a condition presumptively related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA medical records and a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected ischemic heart disease and left ventricular hypertrophy. The examiner will also provide an opinion on whether the bilateral carotid flow reduction and stenosis are manifestations of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and valvular heart disease, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service. The acquired psychiatric disability claim is remanded as it requires further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service in Thailand, and whether he had heart disease due to his active service. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart conditions, including mitral valve regurgitation and coronary artery disease with CABG, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The preexisting condition of mitral valve regurgitation was presumed to have existed prior to service, but it did not worsen during service.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of July 5, 1998 for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease. The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for CAD prior to January 2, 2009 and until January 7, 2011 is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a videoconference hearing. The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, both claimed as due to herbicide exposure, are pending.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for stomach cancer, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, PAD, heart disease and residuals of a cerebrovascular accident was denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran having these conditions during or as a result of his military service.