Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was denied because the evidence did not show that VA care caused an additional disability, and there was no negligence on VA's part.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including lung condition, heart condition, atrial fibrillation, vision condition, dizziness, lightheadedness, stress, chest pain, pneumonia, pleural effusion, and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, all claimed as due to radiation exposure. The Board found no evidence of a radiogenic disease or other service connection for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and granted his claim for coronary artery disease. The Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the current cardiovascular disorder and service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal due to his death while the appeal was pending before the Court.

The Veteran's heart disease was not incurred or aggravated during active military service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service and granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and a heart condition due to incomplete medical records and the need for further development of the medical record, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, onychomycosis of the right foot, and coronary artery disease, have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment since July 10, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder and left knee disorder, finding no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence/aggravation.,Service connection was not established for the skin (rash) disability due to lack of clear evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and for a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. The issues of an initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD since March 1, 2008, and entitlement to TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.,The effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is set at June 18, 2003, which is the effective date of service connection for residuals of a cerebrovascular accident. The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted in May 2006.,The effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is also set at June 18, 2003.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, status post infarction and stenting, has not resulted in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness or syncope at a workload of less than 7 METs; nor has the disease resulted in cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation, left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 50 percent or less, nor episodic or chronic congestive heart failure. Therefore, the Veteran's disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its onset during his period of active duty service or any period of inactive duty training. The medical evidence indicates that the Veteran's hypertension began in September 1979, which is outside the one-year presumptive period following separation from service. Therefore, service connection for hypertension cannot be granted on a direct basis or as a result of exposure to environmental factors during active duty. Service connection for coronary artery disease has not been established and no medical opinion supports its onset during any period of service.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease status post myocardial infarction, but has denied service connection for arteriosclerosis manifested as peripheral vascular disease and loss of legs due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including clarification of a VA examiner's opinion regarding the cause of his coronary artery disease and hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected rheumatic valvular heart disease did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to December 21, 2010.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease and chronic pulmonary disorder (claimed as bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia, and spots on the lungs) is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The effective date of this grant is July 9, 2009, the date of diagnosis of lung cancer.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims for service connection for a heart disorder and respiratory disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for cardiac disease and determined that new evidence received since the last denial supports a finding that his current condition is related to his active service, including exposure to ionizing radiation during World War II.