Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals as he withdrew them prior to a decision being made. The Board also determined that service connection for erectile dysfunction is not warranted, as it is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected atrophic left testicle.

The Veteran's heart disability was rated at 60 percent from September 1, 2009 to May 13, 2011. The effective date of this rating is set as May 13, 2011.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private medical records from Shoals Hospital and VA treatment records. The Appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death will also require an addendum opinion regarding whether his right cerebral infarction was related to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD) results in an estimated METS of 10 and normal left ventricle function with an ejection fraction of 70 percent; continuous medication is required. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not result in cardiac hypertrophy or dilation, nor does it cause more than one episode of congestive heart failure within the past year.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to determine whether the Veteran's cause of death was related to his service-connected disabilities or otherwise related to service. The claim will be re-adjudicated based on all evidence, including the January 2008 private medical opinion from Dr. Garganta.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The hypertension claim was denied as the current rating is appropriate, and the coronary artery disease prior to January 1, 2014 claim was denied due to lack of evidence meeting the criteria for a higher rating. The left ear hearing loss claim was denied as it does not meet the compensable rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, but the effective date remains at January 26, 2003 due to the liberalizing law and Nehmer provisions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it is related to his service-connected heart disease.

The Board found no evidence of a heart disorder during service or within the one-year presumptive period following discharge from service. The Veteran's current heart disorder is not considered related to active service, including contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for higher initial disability ratings for coronary artery disease/ischemic heart disease and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities.

The Board found that the Veteran's earlier effective date claim for service connection and compensation for atherosclerotic coronary artery disease and cardiomyopathy is not warranted due to lack of diagnosis prior to January 5, 2001.

The Veteran's apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with coronary artery disease is found to have been incurred during active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate examinations to determine if his headaches and heart condition are related to service or secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he and his representative withdrew their appeals in writing.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for coronary artery disease was denied, as his condition did not meet the criteria for an increased rating from September 22, 2014 onwards. The effective date is unknown.

The Veteran's appeals were withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure in Guam or Vietnam. The Veteran's claims were based on direct service connection rather than the Agent Orange presumption.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 29, 2008. The Board granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected PTSD and coronary artery disease.,Special monthly compensation (SMC) was also granted due to the Veteran's housebound status resulting from his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, COPD, and hypertension have been denied as there is no diagnosed psychiatric disorder or evidence of a stressor related to military service. The Veteran's coronary artery disease has also not been linked to service.