Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has reviewed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions and determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's hypertension and heart disease were found to be service-connected, with the heart disease being secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the appellant did not meet the criteria for nonservice-connected burial benefits.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding records and additional development being required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The psychiatric disability (depression and PTSD) claim remains pending as the nature of the stressor or stressors has not been determined.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam. Service connection for hypertension and basal cell carcinoma are granted based on the presumption of service connection for diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart disability and a psychiatric disability (depression) as they are not related to service or a service-connected condition.,No initial ratings have been assigned for headaches, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, or radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's single vessel arteriosclerotic heart disease was rated at 60 percent since September 17, 1996. The rating has been maintained and no higher rating is warranted under the criteria in effect prior to January 12, 1998.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a change in regulations regarding service connection for PTSD, and will also review the claim for secondary service connection of a heart disorder.

The Board finds that the appellant sustained cold injury during active service and, considering all evidence of record, including his in-service exposure to subfreezing temperatures without adequate protection, as well as post-service medical records showing symptoms consistent with cold injury residuals, there is sufficient evidence to grant service connection for residuals of cold injury to the upper and lower extremities. The Board also finds that the appellant's current low back disability, bilateral hip disability, and heart disability are related to his in-service exposure to subfreezing temperatures.

The Board found that the causes of the Veteran's death (acute anterior myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, and hyperlipidemia) were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board also determined that these conditions are not related to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to be related to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent. The Board finds that service connection for the condition is warranted.

The Board denied service connection for a heart condition secondary to hyperthyroidism, finding that the heart condition was not proximately due to or the result of service-connected hyperthyroidism.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, except for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The TDIU claim is also pending.

The Veteran's death was caused by heart failure due to, or as a consequence of pulmonary embolism and other significant conditions including coronary artery disease and pulmonary hypertension. As the Veteran served in Vietnam and is presumed exposed to herbicides, his service-connected coronary artery disease is deemed to be related to his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinea versicolor, hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, a heart disability, and kidney stones as there is no current disability associated with these conditions.

The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure, but denied the other claims.

The Veteran's death was caused by ischemic heart disease, which is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during his service in Vietnam. The Board has granted the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.