Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, combined with presumed exposure to herbicides in the Republic of Vietnam, are found to have contributed to his death. The Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for coronary artery disease. However, the claim remains denied as there is no causal relationship between the current condition and active service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran died in October 2004 due to multiple conditions, including pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis, and cerebral vascular accident. The cause of death was not attributed to a service-connected disability or any event during active service.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder, osteoarthritis of the shoulders, elbows, wrists and knees, and cervical spine disability. The Veteran did not have any evidence of these conditions in service or within one year after discharge.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic esophageal carcinoma, with coronary artery disease and type II diabetes mellitus contributing to his death. The Board finds that the appellant has provided credible testimony supporting her claim that the Veteran served in Vietnam during active service, which is necessary for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e). As a result, the cause of the Veteran's death was incurred during active service.

The Veteran's heart disability and hypertension are presumed to be caused by his in-service herbicide exposure. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment reports and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a blood disorder, heart disease with hypertension, and kidney disease. The Veteran's claims were based on direct evidence of the conditions during his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill. The MRSA infection occurred after he was discharged from VA care and admitted to a private hospital.

The Veteran's claim for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, updated medical records, and further development.

The Veteran died in May 2006 from multiple organ failure due to pneumonia. His service records do not show any exposure to herbicides or other conditions that could be linked to his death. The Board finds no evidence of a service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bone cancer, a heart disorder, and right knee and ankle disorders that he asserts are due to his service-connected residuals of left knee and ankle injuries. The case is being remanded for further development including obtaining medical records and VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's status post L4-5 and L5-S1 anterior interbody fusion with chronic low back pain. The claims for increased ratings for hypertension and coronary artery disease are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease was denied, as the evidence did not show more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year or a workload greater than 5 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope. The claim for hypertension also failed to meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board found that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder. The heart disorder claim was denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking any current cardiac condition to her period of active duty training.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to conflicting medical evidence regarding his ability to work, and a new VA examination is needed to determine if he can secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung cancer, ASHD and diabetes mellitus did not have a direct relationship to his service-connected right shoulder shell fragment wound. The medical evidence did not support a connection between these conditions and the Veteran's service.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, type II, CIDP of the upper extremities, kidney disorder, sexual dysfunction, bilateral foot disorder, heart condition, and hypertension, as they are not related to herbicide exposure during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cardiovascular disorders, including coronary artery disease and arteriosclerotic heart disease, are related to his service. The acute myocardial infarction he experienced during INACDUTRA in 1993 is considered a direct service connection case.