Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected dysthymia and depression. The other issues remain pending.

The Veteran had ischemic heart disease, which led to his cardiac arrest and death. Given the presumptive exposure to herbicides in service, he can be granted service connection for cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not etiologically related to his period of service and does not meet the criteria for secondary service connection based on a service-connected disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused or contributed to by his service-connected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and therefore, denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and a psychiatric disorder due to his failure to appear for VA examinations. The case is now pending again with the RO/AMC.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of all submitted evidence.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service or service-connected rheumatic heart disease, and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral artery disease of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Veteran's initial ratings for CAD, DMII, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable rating criteria.,The Veteran's initial rating for left eye disability has been denied due to lack of evidence showing restricted diet or regulation of activities. The current 30 percent rating is maintained.,The Veteran's ED condition does not warrant a compensable rating as his erectile dysfunction does not meet the criteria for any specific rating under applicable regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hoarseness secondary to his cervical fusion of the lateral intervetebral disc C5-6 has been reopened and granted. The Veteran is also entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability or continuity of symptomatology related to his in-service complaints. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have any diagnosed conditions, and thus cannot establish service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease and its residuals is granted, as the condition is presumed to have been caused by his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board finds that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and left below-the-knee amputation are presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's current diagnoses of coronary artery disease and ischemic heart disease are presumed to be due to his conceded in-service exposure to herbicides during his active duty in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the cause of death and DIC benefits claims can be fully adjudicated. The Veteran died from respiratory arrest due to esophageal cancer, with protein malnutrition being one of the conditions contributing to his death but not related to the immediate cause.

The Board found no evidence of a current right leg, left leg, or heart condition related to service. The Veteran's claim for hernia and hypertension was also denied as there is insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The VA reduced the Veteran's rating for coronary artery disease from 60% to 10%, effective July 1, 2004. The Board found that the evidence did not show improvement in the condition and denied the reduction.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, including as due to exposure to herbicides, is being remanded for additional development and consideration.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to have been incurred as a result of Agent Orange exposure during his active service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease has been rated at 100 percent since July 2008, based on the severity of his symptoms including chronic congestive heart failure and limited physical activity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicides, and thus grants service connection for this condition.