Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and SSA records. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease with residuals of mitral valve replacement was evaluated at a 30 percent rating since September 30, 2004.

The Board found that there is no evidence showing a direct or service-connected relationship between the Veteran's service and his death. The cause of death was listed as pneumonia, with other conditions contributing to death but not resulting in the underlying cause.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or on housebound status is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to October 7, 2004 for a compensable evaluation of his service-connected rheumatic heart disease was granted. The effective date is set at March 10, 2006.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute myocardial infarction, which is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed heart condition and the claim for service connection is denied. The other issues on appeal are also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the validity of the Veteran's claims for PTSD and a heart disorder, including obtaining VA treatment records and examining the Veteran for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and determine if he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied claims for service connection for depression with stress, heart disease, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The claim for residuals of left ankle injury was remanded due to a request for reconsideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disorders and Type II diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need to obtain his STRs, confirm herbicide exposure at Eglin Air Force Base, and provide VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board found that the appellant's heart disability, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated during his active service. The conditions preexisted his second period of active duty from September 2001 to September 2002 and were not aggravated beyond their natural progression.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated after this development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide an adequate examination regarding his service-connected coronary artery disease, chronic venous insufficiency of the right leg, and chronic venous insufficiency of the left leg.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a finding of herbicide exposure during service, and thus the Veteran's cause of death cannot be presumed to have been incurred in or as a result of active service. The Board also determined that the Veteran did not suffer from any conditions related to his military service at the time of his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current low back disability, right knee disability, or persistent cough for which service connection can be granted. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, diagnosed as coronary artery disease, is granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicides. His colon polyps are also granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding his employability due to service-connected disabilities.