Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's heart disorder is not service-connected, and his claim for TDIU due to cervical spine disability was denied.

The Veteran's death was due to nonservice-connected causes and he is not buried in a national cemetery. However, the appellant is eligible for a plot or interment allowance as he served on active duty and his death was from nonservice-connected causes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pain in the major joints, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a heart condition as secondary to his service-connected back disability. The increased rating claim for myofascial back pain syndrome was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of his employability status related to PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination by a cardiologist to determine if his current heart disability is related to his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for coronary artery disease was increased from 30% to 60% effective June 8, 2011. The increase is based on the evidence showing that his condition has not met the criteria for a higher rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The claim of service connection for heart disability, status post cardiac bypass with residual scarring remains under consideration.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a heart disorder, manifested by hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, and chest pain. The decision also addresses his claims for bilateral hearing loss and an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claims for psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and heart disease, including ischemic heart disease, were denied as there was no credible evidence of an in-service stressor sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD. The Board also found that the current heart disorder is not related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate condition, respiratory disorder including asthma and COPD, hypertension, and hypertensive cardiovascular or arteriosclerotic heart disease were denied as the evidence does not show these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, diabetic retinopathy, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted the appellant's request to reopen her claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The new evidence submitted since the last denial supports reopening the claim, but a VA medical opinion is needed to determine if the service-connected PTSD contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete service dates, need for a VA examination and medical opinion, and need for further clarification of the Veteran's hypertension claim.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for more detailed explanations of the VA examiner's conclusions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 4, 2007, for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities alone precluded gainful employment prior to this date.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date of the award of a 20 percent disability rating for his service-connected left talus fracture residuals was denied. The claim for heart disease service connection was also denied, and the issue concerning whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a service connection claim for a bilateral knee disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current cardiovascular disorders are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction and cardiomyopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and coronary artery disease, finding no current disability as defined by VA criteria. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between any diagnosed conditions and service.