Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for COPD, hypertension, and heart disease are being remanded due to the need to establish service connection as secondary to a psychiatric disorder. The claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder is also being considered.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (diabetes mellitus type 2, coronary artery disease, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity) prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on this evidence.

The Veteran's heart disorder was not productive of congestive heart failure, a workload greater than 5 METs but not greater than 7 METs, or cardiac hypertrophy/dilatation on examination. The RO increased the rating to 30 percent effective December 9, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and blurred vision (diabetic retinopathy) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by a service-connected condition (CAD) and is therefore granted service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent, effective prior to April 8, 2005 for the grant of SMC due to erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's coronary artery disease remains rated at 60 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's timely notice of disagreement was not received by either the RO or the Board within the statutory period, but granted equitable tolling and accepted his December 2008 VA Form 9 as a valid appeal. The claims for service connection were decided on their merits.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision on the merits may be made regarding service connection for cause of the Veteran's death. The appeal will be remanded to the RO/AMC for additional actions.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed before the claims can be adjudicated, including obtaining service personnel records and Social Security Administration records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient reasoning in the July 2010 VA examination report and the need for clarification on the examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's chest pain during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected coronary artery disease and hypertension have been denied as the evidence does not show that he meets the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions and to ensure that all relevant evidence is considered in the decision regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death.

The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of coronary artery disease, and the Veteran's service records do not contain any positive studies or clinical findings to confirm this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of his service in Thailand and exposure to herbicides, securing VA treatment records, and arranging for medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and exposure to tuberculosis were denied as there is no current disability related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore denied both his claim for service connection for the cause of death and his DIC claim.

The Veteran's claims for direct service connection for a heart disorder, including hypertension, and secondary service connection for a heart disorder due to residuals of a tonsillectomy have been denied. The claim for an eye disorder has also been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back condition, hypertension, and heart disease. The claim for tinnitus was granted with a 10% rating.

The Board found that the Veteran does not currently have a diagnosed heart disorder and denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) and hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.