Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death. The Board found that the immediate cause of death was myocardial infarction, but ruled out a causal link between his service-connected bilateral nephrolithiasis and his renal failure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to conflicting evidence regarding the onset of hypertension during service.

The Board found that the cause of death was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated. The Veteran's disabilities, including hypertension and coronary artery disease, were initially demonstrated years after service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of TDIU, finding that there was no factual evidence to support a factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to April 5, 1997.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease was granted, with a current evaluation of 10 percent. Service connection for diabetes mellitus and pancreatitis was also established, but the issue regarding multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities under 38 CFR § 3.324 is pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, migraine headaches, heart disease, residuals of a stroke, and lumbar spine disability are not supported by competent evidence. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding an in-service injury or event that would support these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (diabetes and coronary artery disease) satisfy the schedular requirements for a TDIU rating, but it remains unclear whether the functional impairment associated with these conditions is of such severity as to preclude substantially gainful employment. The case is REMANDED for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, kidney disability, heart disability, and residuals of a stroke. The Veteran's claims were based on direct evidence rather than presumptive exposure to herbicides or other conditions.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a heart disorder, which he claims is secondary to his already service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board has requested an additional medical opinion regarding whether the diabetes mellitus has aggravated the heart disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his service-connected spinal stenosis, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current heart disability and there is no evidence linking his lung disability to service, including asbestos exposure. Therefore, both claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left hip disability, shortening of the left leg as a residual of left hip replacement, and valvular heart disease and hypertension. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted accrued benefits for PTSD, but denied service connection for the cause of death due to ischemic heart disease and other causes. The DIC claim is not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for esophageal ulcer and coronary artery disease (CAD), as well as his claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The decision is final regarding the denial of service connection for CAD.

The Veteran's claim for a powered mobility device, such as a powered wheelchair or scooter, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, to include as secondary to bipolar disorder, was denied by the Board. The evidence did not establish a current diagnosis of a heart condition and there is no medical evidence linking any diagnosed heart condition to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and action to ensure compliance with the instructions in the Joint Motion for Remand.

The Veteran's heart condition is not related to service or a service-connected disability. The claims for diabetes mellitus, eye conditions, foot conditions, hip conditions, leg conditions, hand conditions, arm conditions, and back disabilities are all denied as they do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining an opinion on whether his alcohol abuse is a symptom of or secondary to his PTSD and scheduling him for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his PTSD.