Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's combined rating is now at 70%, which includes a 50% increase for his service-connected mood disorder with anxiety. The TDIU claim will be remanded due to missing rating decisions after June 2009.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred during his hospitalization at Gateway Medical Center is being remanded due to the need for additional records and review.

The Board denied the appellant's claim, finding that his character of discharge for the period from November 1968 to June 1970 is considered a bar to VA disability benefits due to persistent misconduct and willful and persistent misconduct.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury and has also granted the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease due to exposure to Agent Orange.,Service connection is established for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current heart conditions, including coronary artery disease and hypertension, are directly related to his military service. Additionally, the squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is found to be aggravated by his service-connected heart condition.

The Board has determined that the cause of the Veteran's death is etiologically related to his military service, specifically his documented swollen joints during active duty. As such, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has determined that the VA did not adequately address the appellant's claims for service connection due to asbestos and beryllium exposure during his military service. The claim is being remanded to obtain confirmation of such exposure, as well as additional medical records from private providers and Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for organic heart disease and granted it, finding new evidence that supports a link to service. The claims for poliomyelitis and vascular disease were not addressed as they are not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's current low back disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially and materially to the underlying cause of his death, which was CAD. The Board finds that this contribution is due to the aggravation of his pre-existing CAD by his PTSD.

The Board is considering whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for the cause of death due to exposure to chemical dioxins. The appellant's husband served aboard a ship in Vietnam, but there is uncertainty about his actual presence on Vietnamese soil. Service connection may be presumed based on Agent Orange exposure if he served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War era.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining treatment records from Waco Cardiology and determining whether his May 2003 lung problems occurred during a period of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The appellant seeks special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance or due to housebound status. The Board has ordered additional development, including obtaining medical records from private facilities where she received treatment.

The Veteran died of myocardial infarction due to coronary artery disease, with diabetes mellitus and Crohn's disease contributing to death. The Board finds that none of these conditions were service-connected at the time of his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's aortic stenosis is etiologically related to his service-connected hypertension, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for a more adequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's knee disabilities and/or Vioxx use contributed to his death, which was not addressed in the previous VA opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatic heart disease, status post aortic and mitral valve replacement with chronic atrial fibrillation, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition was aggravated by his active duty for training.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current coronary artery disease is not related to his service-connected bilateral corneal scars and Salzmann's nodular degeneration, as well as other medications he takes for these conditions. The Board found no direct evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's preexisting coronary artery disease was aggravated during his second period of active service, and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic ischemic heart disease secondary to his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current heart disability and his service-connected PTSD.