Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disorder, kidney disease, and respiratory disorder are not related to his in-service exposure to ionizing radiation. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there is no evidence linking these disabilities to his military service.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities is at least 70%, meeting the threshold requirement for a TDIU. However, his service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board is requesting a medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's cause of death was related to active service or a service-connected disability, specifically whether any service-connected condition aggravated the pneumonia that caused his death.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury is found to have contributed substantially or materially to his death, and thus the claim for service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and further development is required.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is currently rated at 60 percent, effective from February 17, 2012. The appeal for hypertension remains pending as new and material evidence has not been submitted.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to insufficient notice for a scheduled hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore, denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for another VA examination to determine his ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, as well as for additional VA treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disease was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam, including his presence on the landmass of Vietnam. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for service connection under the presumption of herbicide exposure.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and headaches are not addressed as they were remanded by the Board.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a cardiac disability, including arteriosclerotic heart disease. The appeal is being remanded to the AOJ due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of any diagnosed cardiovascular disorder and the need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being required, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA dermatologist for an opinion regarding the Veteran's skin condition. The issue of service connection for ischemic heart disease is also pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, coccidoidomycosis, and lung cancer due to exposure to ionizing radiation were denied as new and material evidence was not presented.,Lung cancer was not shown within one year of separation from service or related to any incident in service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional information regarding herbicide exposure at Andersen Air Force Base and to address the service connection of diabetes mellitus, Type II. The heart disability, kidney disability, and hypertension claims are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the diabetes mellitus claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to April 14, 1997, for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease. The claim was denied as there is no document in the claims file dated prior to April 14, 1997, that may be accepted as a claim for service connection for a heart condition.

The Board found that the appellant's coronary artery disease, diagnosed after service, was first manifested during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in May 2001. Given this finding and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her husband's death and entitlement to death pension benefits due to lack of information regarding income, asset, and medical expense.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed heart disorder, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, bilateral ankle disorder, and bilateral knee disorder are not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.