Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the relationship between his current COPD and coronary artery disease with hypertension and angina, including any service-related exposure.

The Veteran's death was caused by a disease (myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease) that is presumed to be linked to his military service due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. Therefore, the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's service-connected atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction, and hypertension are found to render him unemployable due to his heart condition. The RO has ordered additional VA examination and requested updated treatment records.

The Veteran's spouse is denied enhanced DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1311(a)(2) because the Veteran was not rated totally disabled for at least 8 continuous years immediately preceding his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated medical records. The issues of rating his arteriosclerotic heart disease and dermatophytosis are the main points of concern.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including coronary artery disease and hypertension, are rated at the maximum level of 100 percent since April 28, 2005. The Board has granted this rating based on its determination that it is warranted due to their overall impact on his ability to function in a work setting.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including medical examinations and records.

The Board found that service-connected schizophrenia did not cause or contribute substantially to the Veteran's death from respiratory failure with aspiration and coronary artery disease. The appellant's contention of a motor vehicle accident as a result of mental instability was not supported by evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicide agents. The peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremities is not considered a direct result of his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus with bilateral peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a heart disorder, which he claims is related to injuries sustained during his active duty. The Board finds the duty to assist has not been met and remands the case for further development including a VA examination.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease. His traumatic arthritis of the left knee remains at a 10% rating, but he is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease) is presumed to have been incurred during active military service due to herbicide exposure. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, diagnosed as coronary artery disease, is granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The claim for higher initial ratings for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back disorder. The Board denied service connection for hypertension and CAD with heart attack as secondary to his service-connected low back disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining recent treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected heart and back disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee arthritis and ischemic heart disease are presumed to be related to his service due to exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's left knee disorder is not shown to have started in service, but the VA examiner opined it was not caused by service. The Veteran's heart condition is presumed as a result of his Vietnam service.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to have been incurred in service as a result of herbicide exposure during his service in the Republic of Vietnam. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for presumptive service connection.

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

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and hypertension. The case is being remanded to obtain additional information regarding the Veteran's alleged exposure to herbicides during his service aboard the USS Bexar in Vietnam.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional information from his former employer regarding disability retirement and other service-connected disabilities. The issues of bilateral knee, kidney, and eye disabilities are also inextricably intertwined with the TDIU issue.