Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2016

The Veteran's heart disability was not shown to have had its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty or a service-connected condition. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for his heart disability.

The Veteran's hypertension and heart disease claims are remanded for additional examination to determine if they are related to service, specifically herbicide exposure. The diabetes mellitus claim is also remanded for a VA examination to evaluate the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the lumbar spine disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating prior to July 1, 2014, but was sufficient from that date onwards.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition due to herbicide exposure has been dismissed as his death made the case moot.

The Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and hypertensive heart disease were service-connected, contributing to his death. The claim for accrued benefits is denied as the Veteran did not have any pending claims at the time of his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including whether they are related to service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disorder, including CAD and PCI, was not service-connected due to lack of in-service injury or disease. The exposure to herbicides during military service is also not presumed.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a cardiovascular disability, including ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure. The Board has determined that additional development is needed and the case is being remanded.

The Veteran seeks an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease. The RO granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent rating, but the Veteran argues that his condition warrants a higher rating based on recent medical evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected depression contributed to his death from atherosclerotic coronary vascular disease due to hypertensive heart disease. The Board finds that the Veteran's depression is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which are of service origin.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examinations and a need for new evaluations of heart disease and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney disability, heart disability, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records, confirming dates of Reserve service, scheduling VA examinations, and adjudicating the issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a previously disallowed claim of hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied due to the lack of service connection for his coronary artery disease. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence, including VA treatment records from specific time periods.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis, pancreatitis, and heart disorder were denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or post-service that is related to her active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a psychiatric examination. The issues of service connection for tinnitus, heart disorder, PTSD rating, TDIU, and reopening of the tinnitus claim are pending.

The Veteran's cardiac disabilities, including myocardial infarctions, coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, and congestive heart failure, are not related to service or service-connected PTSD. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused or contributed to by his service-connected disabilities, including cold injury residuals and falls. The cause of death listed on his death certificate was congestive heart failure (CHF) due to coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Board denied the appellant's claims regarding service connection for various conditions, including ischemic heart disease, mitral valve replacement, atrial fibrillation, thyroid goiter, and hypertension. The initial rating for hypertension was also denied.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, and erectile dysfunction. The Board found that these conditions are related to his military service.,For the remaining issues, including hypertension and GERD, additional medical records need to be obtained and an addendum opinion from the September 2012 VA examiner is required.