Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's permanent and total disability rating for heart disease was effective April 25, 2008. The appellant reached her 26th birthday prior to this effective date, thus she has no legal entitlement to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Veteran died in September 2010 from a myocardial infarction with coronary artery disease and previous stroke as contributing factors. The appellant's claim for service-connected death benefits was received by VA on September 30, 2010, and she was granted DIC effective September 1, 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including hypertension and a heart disability, were not related to service. The evidence did not show cardiovascular injury or disease during service, nor continuous symptoms of hypertension or CAD since service separation.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and assigned a 30 percent disability rating. The heart condition, soft tissue sarcoma, mole removal residuals, and locked jaw due to broken right jawbone are all considered direct service-connected conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the initial rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease, currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for right elbow epicondylitis and denied service connection for a heart disorder. The Veteran's right elbow condition is found to be related to his military service, while the evidence does not support a finding of a current heart disorder.

The Veteran's heart disease, specifically coronary artery disease and hypertension, has been evaluated at a 30 percent rating since the appeal period began. The current evidence does not support an increase in this rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current heart condition did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. The claim for service connection for a heart condition/disease is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities due to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability and hypertensive heart disease have been granted, but the rating for hypertensive heart disease remains at 30 percent. The Veteran's psychiatric disability is found to be incurred in service.

The Veteran claims service connection for coronary artery disease, which he attributes to exposure to Agent Orange during military service. The Board has determined that the evidence is insufficient to establish a link between his current condition and service, particularly given the lack of documentation of exposure to Agent Orange at Fort Dix, New Jersey.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, evaluated at 60 percent disabling prior to May 2, 2011, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7005.

The Veteran's service-connected CAD with sick sinus syndrome and pacemaker implant has been rated at 30 percent since May 28, 2010. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease, lung disorder, and depression as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's heart disease was not related to his near drowning episode in service, but is due to smoking history. His COPD is also due to smoking history. The Board found that the Veteran's depression is secondary to PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disease and prostate cancer did not meet the criteria for service connection, as they were not shown to be related to his active duty service. The appeal was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease was granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to Agent Orange, effective from March 13, 2009. The decision also notes that the effective date is based on the liberalizing law and not earlier.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease are granted due to exposure to herbicides during his service at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Veteran's death did not occur prior to October 22, 2005 and his service-connected disabilities were not rated as 100% disabling for at least eight years immediately preceding his death. Therefore, the appellant is denied accrued benefits and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation benefits at the enhanced rate.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his complete private and VA treatment records, Social Security Administration records, and conducting new VA examinations to assess the severity of his coronary artery disease and posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's GERD is related to NSAIDs taken for his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The Board denied the claim for a heart disability, finding no current evidence of such condition.