Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

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.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has been diagnosed as an osteochondral lesion of the medial talar dome. His heart disability is currently under review, with a determination pending.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis is rated at 30 percent since May 24, 2013. The effective date for this rating remains to be determined as the AOJ has not provided one.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease is granted as it is presumed due to herbicide exposure. The claims for higher evaluations of prostate cancer and PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for ischemic heart disease, to include as due to herbicide exposure, has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded for an updated VA examination to assess his PTSD disability.

The Veteran is granted a 60 percent rating for ischemic heart disease from July 27, 2010 to October 17, 2011.,The Veteran is granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD from July 27, 2010 to October 17, 2011.

The Veteran's myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, and stenting were assigned a staged initial rating of 30 percent from January 14, 2005 through August 21, 2012. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on METS level or ejection fraction findings.

The Veteran's service-connected cardiovascular disability was not manifested by chronic congestive heart failure, a workload of 3 METs or less resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 30 percent from April 20, 1998 to November 22, 2003.

The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in proximity to the Korean DMZ during his service and granted service connection for ischemic heart disease based on this exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete examination reports and addendum opinions. The Veteran's claims of service connection for coronary artery disease, restless leg syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease with myocardial infarctions, finding that the Veteran's presence in Vietnam is established and he was exposed to herbicides. The hypertension claim remains pending as it does not involve a service-connected condition.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an enlarged heart and ischemic heart disease, which he claims are related to his herbicide exposure during service. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain the Veteran's death certificate and medical records, including from his primary care physician. The expert opinion requested will address whether the Veteran's cold injury residuals could have caused or contributed to his cause of death.

The Veteran's death was caused by his pre-existing conditions, not service-connected disabilities. The termination of the appellant's death pension benefits is proper due to her increased income.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus and granted it. The Veteran's current diagnoses of coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral legs, diabetic retinopathy, and arthritis are all found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's DM and heart disease are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service.,The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides while stationed at Don Muang, Thailand. Based on this exposure, his hypertension, stroke, ED, numbness in both hands, and numbness in both feet are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure.