Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease, but the effective dates remain pending as a statement of the case is needed for the ischemic heart disease issue.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD). The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's death was attributed to Acute Myelocytic Leukemia (AML), which is not service-connected. The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death was denied, and the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for all issues on appeal, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's death is attributed to ischemic heart disease (IHD), which is a type of coronary artery disease (CAD). The cause of death matches one of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, thus granting service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development regarding whether his left ventricular hypertrophy is caused by service-connected coronary artery disease or nonservice-connected hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) during his service. The Veteran served as a Clerk Typist and Information Specialist, which may have brought him into contact with areas near the DMZ where herbicides were used.

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

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of service connection for ischemic heart disease and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus were denied as there was no evidence of in-service onset or connection to service, and the exposure basis provided (Agent Orange) was not established.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) is rated at 30 percent, and he has been granted TDIU effective April 4, 2013. His other service-connected conditions are not separately rated as they do not meet the criteria for a separate rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for higher disability ratings for service-connected diabetes and heart disease, thus the appeal is dismissed.

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

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of the case as he is no longer alive.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease is found to be related to his service in the Gulf War, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a stroke, to include as secondary to service-connected ischemic heart disease is being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for additional records.

The Veteran's liver cancer is presumed service-connected due to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. However, the claim for ischemic heart disease is granted on a presumptive basis as well.,Service connection has been reopened for the left knee disability and diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's heart disability is found to be etiologically related to active service, and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for a heart disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current ischemic heart disease was not incurred or aggravated by service, and is unrelated to his service-connected PTSD. Therefore, service connection for heart disease is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks due to symptoms such as sleep disturbance, depressed mood, and anxiety.,With reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran, his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.