Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and specifically denied service connection for the cause of death due to Agent Orange exposure or other herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, bilateral ED, cataracts, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and venous insufficiency of the lower extremities are all denied. The Board finds that there is no evidence to support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cause of death, acute myocardial infarction and arteriosclerotic heart disease, was not caused or substantially contributed to by a service-connected disability. The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and erectile dysfunction are all found to be service-connected due to herbicide exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's heart disability, including mitral and aortic regurgitation, is granted service connection. The right knee disability secondary to the left knee disability remains pending.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute pulmonary edema, chronic ischemic heart disease, high blood pressure, and COPD. The appeal is remanded to obtain a medical opinion on the cause of death and to address the issue of burial benefits.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted on a secondary basis to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. His coronary artery disease and type II diabetes mellitus are both denied initial higher ratings.

The Veteran's hypertension and heart disorders were not shown during service or within one year of discharge, and the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service. The presumption for herbicide exposure is inapplicable as hypertension is not listed under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e) and ischemic heart disease was not shown within one year of last exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is not related to service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's substantive appeal regarding service connection for various conditions was not timely filed, and the Board finds it denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining military personnel records and VA treatment records. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's heart attack was caused by an undeployed stent left in his body during a VA cardiac catheterization, which the Board finds to be proximately caused by VA carelessness or negligence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, CAD, and tinnitus) have rendered him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his claim for service connection for PTSD cannot be substantiated due to lack of a current diagnosis and no evidence linking the claimed condition to service. The claims for service connection for arthritis, DDD, hypertension, and CAD are also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a mental disability. The claims for heart disease and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and a heart disorder related to service or secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, bilateral hearing loss, and ischemic stroke have been granted.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal seeking an effective date prior to September 5, 2008, for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private facility on June 28 and June 29, 2012 are now covered by VA as the treatment was for an emergency condition that could have been hazardous to his health if delayed, and no feasible alternative care was available from VA or federal facilities.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including the reopening of a claim for service connection for ASHD with first degree heart block and the assignment of appropriate ratings for hearing loss. The claims are not currently in a position to be decided on their merits.