Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and heart disease did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence to support a finding of direct service connection. The VA medical expert opinion concluded that the Veteran's PTSD did not cause or aggravate his hypertension or heart disease.

The case is being remanded for additional development to ensure the Veteran has had sufficient time to respond to VA medical examination reports and for further adjudication.

The Board has determined that the appellant's sick sinus syndrome, which represents a heart disability, had its onset during her period of active duty for training in 1989.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying the appellant's claims. The Veteran died from multiple underlying conditions, but his service-connected lumbar spine disability or medication may have contributed to his death.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is attributable to service and granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The claim for soft tissue sarcoma remains pending due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and headaches are all denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to his active service.,There is no documentation that the Veteran was in Vietnam during his active service. The Board finds that he did not have any exposure to herbicide agents while serving in Korea.,The Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary artery disease, or headaches that are related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA medical opinion regarding his heart disorder.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, which is presumed to be due to exposure to herbicides in service, is granted as service connected. The secondary service connection for diabetes mellitus is also granted.

The Veteran was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism during active duty service, but no active pulmonary emboli or discernable residuals have been found post-service.,Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease and emphysema were noted on CT scans during active duty service, but the Veteran does not currently have these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disability is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and denied both claims. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated 10 percent disabling.

The Board found that the Veteran's current heart disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected, either on a direct basis or as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease, including atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and hypertension, status post myocardial infarction and coronary artery stenting, is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and an opinion regarding whether his hypertension is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (rheumatic heart disease and prostatitis) were found to be in equipoise, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions regarding whether VA treatment caused or contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant morning reports and providing a new VA medical opinion to address service connection for cardiovascular disability.

The Board has granted an initial 100 percent disability rating for the Veteran's coronary artery disease, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death prior to October 7, 2004 due to lack of evidence showing a causal link between his active military service and his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's current coronary artery disease is likely due to his service-connected hypertension, and granted service connection based on aggravation.

The Veteran's cause of death was advanced dementia, which is not service-connected. The other conditions contributing to his death (COPD, CAD, and seizure disorder) are also not service-connected. The Veteran did not meet the requirements for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.