Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's heart disease is presumed to be due to exposure to Agent Orange. The claims for hypertension, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and skin disease are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by moderately severe coronary arteriosclerosis, which is presumed to have been incurred due to his exposure to Agent Orange during service. As such, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, a spinal disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, medial epicondylitis, and colon polyps, were denied as the evidence did not show their onset during active military service or within an applicable presumptive period thereafter.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an organic heart disorder other than coronary artery disease, but denied a higher rating for asthma. The issues are considered 'mixed' as some aspects of both claims were granted and others were not.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have ischemic heart disease and his hypertension is not related to his service-connected PTSD. Therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for a heart disability.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II and its secondary effects. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Korea.

The Veteran's death was due to an accidental methadone overdose. His service-connected disabilities, including a left ankle sprain and major depressive disorder, did not meet the criteria for increased ratings or TDIU benefits at the time of his death.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at 60 percent since April 16, 2010. The rating reflects the need for continuous medication and evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a heart condition was granted, and the rating assigned is 100%.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, initial ratings, and earlier effective date are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to his request for a video conference hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a review of the file since the January 2011 supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, are found to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The case is REMANDED for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's heart disability, specifically coronary artery disease (CAD), was initially rated at 10 percent prior to August 3, 2009. Since then, the rating has been increased to 30 percent effective from the date of the VA compensation examination on August 3, 2009.

The Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease are granted service connection on a direct basis.,Both issues were remanded due to the failure of the RO to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC) for the claims of entitlement to service connection for a sleep disorder and right shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to decide the claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum from the VA examiner who conducted the October 2008 examination, in order to address whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected hypertensive heart disease.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to constrictive pericarditis, which was found to be related to his untreated tuberculosis during service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's service-connection claim for atherosclerotic heart disease and coronary artery disease, which are presumed to have been incurred in active service due to herbicide exposure during his Vietnam-era service.

The Veteran died from causes not related to his service-connected hemorrhoids. His bladder cancer and coronary artery disease were not shown to be caused by or aggravated by his military service.