Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for heart disease and found that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's current heart condition is being considered as secondary to his service-connected malaria.

The Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for psychiatric disorder and duodenal ulcer have been remanded. The Board also requested additional medical examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current disorders.

The Veteran was granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease (diagnosed as coronary artery disease, atherosclerotic heart disease, ischemic heart disease, and ischemic cardiomyopathy), both of which are presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicides.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran's current residuals of a stroke to service. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence is against this claim.

The Veteran's heart disability and hypertension have not met the criteria for a higher evaluation since October 6, 1998.,Prior to November 7, 2002, the Veteran was deemed employable given his full-time employment status.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied.,The Veteran is not entitled to an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease with typical angina episodes or diabetic nephropathy.

The Board found that none of the service-connected disabilities contributed to the Veteran's death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart condition and hypertension were not related to his active duty service or a pre-existing lung condition, thus denying service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the service-connected malaria did not cause or contribute substantially to the Veteran's death. The underlying causes of his death, including ischemic heart disease and renal failure, were considered.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD, Parkinson's disease, CAD, glaucoma, kidney disability, sleep apnea, hypertension, and sinusitis is granted due to exposure to herbicides during his service in Vietnam.

PTSD with alcohol abuse and sleeping problems was initially rated as 50 percent disabling from March 30, 2007 to February 9, 2010. From February 10, 2010 forward, the Veteran is entitled to a rating of at least 70 percent.,Chronic myofascial strain of left trapezius muscle has been rated as 10 percent disabling throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's atherosclerotic heart disease, status post circumflex stent angioplasty, is currently rated at 60 percent since June 30, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying periods of active duty and obtaining medical opinions to determine if current heart and right hand disabilities are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a cardiac disability, finding that the Veteran's current heart conditions did not manifest during or within one year of his military service and could not be linked to any in-service disease or injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran was employed on a full-time basis until July 18, 2007. Therefore, his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental VA opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected diabetes and ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his service connection claims, including obtaining records from his Army Reserve service and considering the applicability of a finality rule.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining mental hygiene records from service and seeking verification of a claimed in-service stressor. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is also inextricably intertwined with his claim for service connection for hypertension with CAD.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for further development, including verification of his service period and additional medical examinations to determine if he has an acquired psychiatric disorder or coronary artery disease that was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The issues include service connection for multiple disabilities, including right knee, left knee, right shoulder, left shoulder, respiratory disorder, anemia, and edema of lower extremities.