Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for atherosclerotic coronary artery disease and an increased rating of service-connected PTSD to 70 percent disabling. The Veteran is also currently service connected for tinnitus, rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was due to ischemic heart disease, which is presumed service-connected based on his exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam. As such, the appeal for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's sick sinus syndrome was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, may not be presumed to have been incurred during service, and was not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for congestive heart failure with idiopathic cardiomyopathy and coronary artery disease is granted, as the conditions are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The secondary service connection claim for PTSD and/or scar, shell fragment wound, of the right arm is also granted.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate his coronary artery disease. The propriety of the reduction from 100 percent to 30 percent rating will also be reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes and heart disorder are not related to his service, specifically exposure to Q-fever during Project Whitecoat. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cardiovascular disability did not manifest in service or within one year of separation, and has not otherwise been shown to be related to service. Therefore, service connection for a cardiovascular disability was denied.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease and hypertension, status post pacemaker implant and aortic valve replacement were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found no evidence of such conditions during service or within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his cardiovascular disability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a heart disability has been granted, with the effective date set at October 12, 1994. The Board found that the Veteran continuously prosecuted his claim from this date up to the submission of a timely notice of disagreement in October 2000.

The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for dysthymic disorder and has also raised several service connection claims.,The Veteran seeks to reopen his service connection claim for prostate cancer. He also raises claims for service connection for a heart condition (atrial fibrillation with third degree AV block, status post pacemaker), hypertension, benign prostatic hypertrophy with nocturia, and TDIU.,The Veteran is seeking to reopen his service connection claim for a heart condition. He also raises claims for service connection for prostate cancer, hypertension, benign prostatic hypertrophy with nocturia, and TDIU.,The Veteran seeks to reopen his service connection claim for hypertension. He also raises claims for service connection for prostate cancer, a heart condition (atrial fibrillation with third degree AV block, status post pacemaker), benign prostatic hypertrophy with nocturia, and TDIU.,The Veteran is seeking to reopen his service connection claim for benign prostatic hypertrophy with nocturia. He also raises claims for service connection for prostate cancer, a heart condition (atrial fibrillation with third degree AV block, status post pacemaker), hypertension, and TDIU.,The Veteran seeks to reopen his service connection claim for prostate cancer. He also raises claims for service connection for a heart condition (atrial fibrillation with third degree AV block, status post pacemaker), hypertension, benign prostatic hypertrophy with nocturia, and TDIU.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a heart disorder, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran is now entitled to have his claims for service connection reviewed.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) due to diabetes mellitus. Service connection was denied for hypertension, ulcers, heart condition, right eye condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for atherosclerotic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities (numbness of the toes), right knee disorder, and skin disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no competent evidence linking his fatal cardiac arrest to cold weather exposure during active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin cancer, heart disease, and stroke are not related to his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service exposure or a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran is entitled to special monthly pension benefits due to his nonservice-connected disabilities and age over 65, meeting the criteria for housebound status.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current heart condition, including whether it is related to service or pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension is being remanded due to the need for clarification on whether these conditions are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected cold injury residuals of the hands and feet.