Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is not attributable to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, heart disorder, and chest condition to include a left rib sternal articulation. The evidence does not support finding in-service incurrence of any disability or a nexus between service and current disabilities.

The Board has ordered a remand to clarify the METs level of 2 noted in the February 2011 report, which may represent an earlier period (January 2006) or reflect the severity of the Veteran's disability in February 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of coronary artery disease and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran does not have a current heart disorder and there is no evidence of such disability during the pendency of his appeal. Therefore, service connection for a heart disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than August 13, 2012 and September 13, 2013 for the awards of service connection for CAD and duodenitis are granted. The effective dates remain as originally assigned.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine the dates of his periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and whether his heart disorder was incurred during such service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and medical retirement records. The issues of entitlement to a higher evaluation for coronary artery disease and entitlement to TDIU prior to April 23, 2008 are before the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and for a cardiovascular disorder, to include hypertension, as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The evidence supports that the Veteran's PTSD aggravated his cardiovascular conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including Lyme disease and its residuals, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, memory loss, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, headaches, cognitive impairment, dizziness and poor balance, tinnitus, heart disorder, splenomegaly, diffuse myelitis, organic disease of the nervous system (to include chronic pain), and radial neuropathies of the feet and hands were denied as these conditions are not related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and will handle any further development as required.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for coronary artery disease, status-post myocardial infarction and coronary bypass. The appeal is being remanded to obtain additional development regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to radiation, toxic contamination, pesticides, and herbicides during his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lesion in the distal LAD coronary artery and ventricular fibrillation are not related to his active military service, including as a result of motor vehicle accidents.,There is no evidence showing the onset or development of these conditions during service.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's heart disability is service-connected as a disease, not a defect.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for MRSA infection and related residuals was denied due to lack of evidence showing VA carelessness or negligence.

The Veteran's heart disability is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed heart disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for coronary artery disease and TDIU are before the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current heart disability, manifested by hypertensive heart disease and congestive heart failure, is not related to his active service. The evidence does not show a chronic condition during service or continuous symptoms since service separation. Additionally, the Veteran's hypertension and congestive heart failure are not considered ischemic heart diseases due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hypertension and granted service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder is found to be related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disabilities, including carotid artery disease, valvular heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and atrial flutter, were not incurred during service or due to exposure to herbicide agents. The conditions are considered direct rather than presumptive.