Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiac disorder, including coronary artery disease and calcific constrictive pericarditis, due to in-service Agent Orange exposure is being remanded as the evidence is conflicting on whether he currently suffers from ischemic heart disease.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is August 1, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for prostate cancer was reopened and granted due to in-service herbicide exposure. Claims for skin condition, kidney condition, neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, and heart condition are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA cardiologist regarding whether the Veteran's heart disease had its origin during her period of active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, skin rash, gastrointestinal issues, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, tingling feet, cardiovascular disorders, and back disorder. The appeal is considered on its merits.

The VA determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for heart disease or lung disorder, and thus denied these claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, bilateral shoulder disability, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and sinusitis as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and readjudicating the claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining an examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current heart disability. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on all evidence.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for coronary artery disease, which he claims was caused by herbicide exposure during his time stationed near the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's unit supported units known to have been exposed to herbicides in the DMZ.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current heart conditions are not related to his service, including a grade I mitral systolic murmur detected in October 1956. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

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

The Veteran's CAD, status post myocardial infraction, was manifested by continuous medication and a workload of greater than 7 METs but less than 10 METs. The Board found that the disability picture from May 26, 2004, through June 16, 2010, did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a permanent loss of use of his right foot, and the Board finds that he is entitled to an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension was granted on August 31, 2010, the date VA added ischemic heart disease/ coronary artery disease as a presumptive disability associated with herbicide exposure. The effective date is set at this date.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination to determine if hypertension is secondary to service-connected ischemic heart disease and/or posttraumatic stress disorder, and for consideration of a secondary etiological relationship between hypertension and PTSD.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, and his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lesion in the distal left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery and ventricular fibrillation due to an in-service motor vehicle accident are being remanded for additional development.