Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2016

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and ataxia as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected sarcoidosis. The claims for increased ratings for sarcoidosis and bilateral pseudophakia and diplopia with left hypertropia, and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board has not yet issued a statement of the case on the issues of entitlement to earlier effective dates for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disorder did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there was no evidence linking it to any incident of service. The VA examiners concluded that the current heart condition is less likely than not related to his military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a heart disorder, including the residuals of a heart murmur or valvular heart disease. The Board has remanded the case to provide a supplemental medical opinion and obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, is being remanded due to the need to obtain private treatment records from Dr. B.L.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD, coronary artery disease, and bilateral hearing loss, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for organic cardiovascular disease and granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Republic of Vietnam is presumed. The Veteran's reports of flying missions into the Republic of Vietnam are considered credible.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and heart disability are not related to his active military service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and a heart disorder. The Veteran's claims were not granted.,There is no evidence of diabetes mellitus during or after service. Hypertension was diagnosed in 2003, over 16 years post-service. There is no link between the current diagnosis of hypertension and military service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the issue of service connection for ischemic heart disease is no longer before the Board.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and there is no evidence linking any diagnosed psychiatric condition to service. The claims for heart condition and hepatitis C are also denied as there is insufficient evidence to support their connection to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The Board also finds that the service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) contributed substantially and materially to the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's complete service treatment and personnel records, as well as any relevant post-service medical records. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the basis of exposure to ionizing radiation during active service was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal regarding these issues.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Thailand, which could potentially grant him service connection for a heart disability. The claim will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arterial hypertension has been reopened. The reduction of the evaluation for hypertensive heart disease with left ventricular failure from 60% to 10% was improper and is void ab initio.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to determine if his ship, the U.S.S. Midway, was exposed to herbicides during his service in the waters offshore and other locations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease did not manifest in service or for years thereafter, and is not related to service. The Board also found that it was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disease or injury, including bilateral PVD and right lower extremity DVT.

The Veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma are not related to service, including exposure to asbestos. The heart disability is not related to service or service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for the heart disability was denied as it is less likely than not caused by service (including radiation exposure) or service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder.