Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion regarding the onset of these conditions in relation to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional information is needed to make a decision on the appellant's DIC and cause of death claims, including obtaining medical records from SSA and reviewing the service member's medical history for any potential service connection.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the current nature and etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, including whether it was aggravated by his 1991 service or related to any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to obtain the Veteran's VA treatment records from Emporia and any private medical records, as well as his Social Security Administration disability records. The Veteran will also be provided with new VA examinations for his hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, and psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature of his unemployability claim and a new service connection claim for diabetes mellitus. The RO/AMC will adjudicate the diabetes mellitus claim first, then re-adjudicate the unemployability claim.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, coronary artery disease, allergic rhinitis, recurrent skin rash in scalp, neck and back, and fungus infection of feet are granted. The Board finds that the current conditions are likely due to his lengthy active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the appellant is the Veteran's surviving spouse and whether his service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially to cause death. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability, arthritis, depression, and COPD as there is no evidence of any such conditions during or within one year after his military service. The Veteran's current symptoms are not related to his active duty.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction was denied as there is no evidence showing onset prior to his discharge from active duty in 1954. The effective date granted is November 1, 2000.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic hypertension and chronic coronary artery disease are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's cardiac disability, specifically coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction, is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The other conditions are not currently service-connected.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining records and a VA examination. Additionally, service connection for ischemic heart disease as presumptive to Agent Orange exposure is also in question.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and left shoulder disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after separation. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that any current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected rheumatic heart disease and coronary artery disease prevent him from securing and maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations and additional medical records. The issues of service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II (presumptive due to Vietnam service), heart disability, and neurological disability are on appeal.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The Veteran's claims were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence to support a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (claimed as coronary artery disease) but denied the underlying claim due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's heart condition, including cardiomyopathy and mild pulmonary hypertension, is being reviewed to determine if it is related to service or the service-connected rheumatic fever.