Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for further adjudication under the amended 38 U.S.C.A. § 1725, as it relates to non-cardiac charges and the criteria of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1728 for cardiac treatment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, claimed as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange, is being remanded due to uncertainty regarding the exact nature and etiology of his condition. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining additional information from the Social Security Administration and verifying if the USS Gridley suffered a helicopter loss during the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for coronary artery disease have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating before February 27, 2012 and from that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, to include as due to in-service herbicide exposure, is granted on a presumptive basis. The other claims are pending further development and review.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling a VA heart examination and clarifying the Veteran's address. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a heart condition that he contends pre-existed his military service but was aggravated by strenuous activity during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a search of the missing claims folder and possible new VA cardiology opinions. The case will be re-adjudicated after these steps are completed.

The Board granted an effective date of February 23, 2005 for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease and a higher initial disability rating for the period prior to August 12, 2010.

The Veteran claims service connection for ischemic heart disease, which he asserts is due to herbicide exposure. The Board finds that further investigation into the Veteran's claimed in-service exposure and participation in operations involving disembarkment from the U.S.S. Princeton to Vietnam is necessary before a decision can be made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, including ischemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy due to herbicide exposure, is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction from June 1, 2011 was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a 100% rating. The Veteran also failed to meet the requirements for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate after June 1, 2011.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and his surviving spouse is denied DIC benefits.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and coronary artery disease was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss or an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology, including whether it is related to his military service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension and hypertensive heart disease and aortic stenosis with mitral regurgitation were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and are not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for hepatitis C. Service connection is granted for coronary artery disease (CAD). The issues of service connection for neurological, psychiatric, and endocrine conditions are withdrawn from appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, heart disability, and hypertension as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the previously denied claim. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have a heart disability or hypertension incurred in service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain private medical records and VA treatment records, as well as to review the claims file for any errors in adjudication. The Veteran's claims will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for scarlet fever residuals and a heart condition, to include as secondary to scarlet fever residuals, are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining missing VA treatment records.

The Veteran's death was caused by ischemic heart disease, which is presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam. As the cause of death is service-connected, no benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 are warranted.

The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current tinnitus developed as a result of his active service. Service connection for this disability is granted.