Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's brief presence in Vietnam during service is presumed to have exposed him to herbicides, including Agent Orange. Therefore, he is granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, as well as diabetic peripheral neuropathy on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's SMC award for aid and attendance was granted effective September 9, 2011, based on his service-connected Congestive Heart Failure and Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease. No other conditions were rated at 100% or higher.

The Board found that the Veteran's effective date for a TDIU should not be prior to August 30, 2004 due to the March 17, 2008 rating decision being invalid and not signed by a rating specialist.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including scheduling a hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's death was caused by or as a consequence of coronary artery disease, which is service-connected. Therefore, the Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board denied all claims including service connection for PTSD, atrial arrhythmia with pacemaker (construed as ischemic heart disease) (heart disorder), and diabetes. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and bilateral hearing loss were also not granted increased ratings.

The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease with hypertension and a history of myocardial infarction, bronchitis, and sinusitis based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO or in the alternative, a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to determine if his current heart condition, lipomas, and headaches are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination. The current severity of his coronary artery disease will be assessed.

The Veteran's death was caused by ischemic heart disease, which is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during his service in Vietnam. Therefore, the cause of the Veteran's death is considered to be related to his military service.

The Board determined that the Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, as his cardiovascular failure and ventricular tachycardia were due to long-standing rheumatic heart disease and other conditions. The Appellant did not provide sufficient evidence to establish a direct link between her husband's service and his death.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and coronary artery disease have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, entitling him to a TDIU.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current back disability and tinnitus are not service-connected, but his coronary artery disease is denied due to lack of evidence. The Veteran's coronary artery disease claim will be remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hernia, back disability, stress disorder, alcoholism, and heart disease. The evidence did not establish a direct link between these conditions and active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing. The service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and heart disorder remain pending.

The Veteran's current valvular heart condition, which is not considered disabling, was not shown to be present within one year of his separation from service or otherwise related to active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, claimed as due to exposure to herbicides, is being remanded for additional development including obtaining treatment records and providing an opinion from a cardiologist.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and heart disability, were denied as there was no evidence of in-service onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bladder disorder, diabetic neuropathy of the upper extremities, and heart disorder were denied. Service connection was granted for peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities and hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus.