Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for arthritis and ischemic heart disease, as well as his claim for an increased rating for prostatic enlargement. The Veteran's current ischemic heart disease is not considered to be related to service or any service-connected disability. For the period prior to January 12, 2006, the Veteran's prostatic enlargement was not manifested by a need for use of an appliance or wearing of absorbent materials that must be changed more than 4 times per day. From January 12, 2006, the Veteran's prostatic enlargement has been manifested by a need for use of an appliance.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including new VA examinations to determine the nature and likely etiology of any diagnosed left shoulder condition and heart condition. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD as likely as not aggravated his diagnosed CAD and hypertension conditions, warranting service connection for both.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of death due to atherosclerotic heart disease, which is presumed to have been caused by the Veteran's former POW status. The Board finds that this condition substantially contributed to the Veteran's death and grants service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his claimed conditions are related to his active duty or to any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, depression, a heart disorder, hypertension, and bilateral knee disorder are all denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death is not related to any injury or disease incurred in service, including coronary artery disease.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various disabilities, including a cervical spine injury, right and left knee disabilities, thoracic and lumbar spine disabilities, a psychiatric disorder (including posttraumatic stress disorder), and a heart condition. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Board finds that service connection for a heart disorder, to include coronary artery disease, is not warranted as there is no competent evidence linking the current diagnosis to any incident of or finding recorded during active service or a period of ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including those related to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange), were denied as there is no medical evidence of current diagnoses or a link between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing heart disorder was not aggravated by his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) to include heart bypass surgery was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claim for an increased disability rating for left carpal tunnel syndrome is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his hypertension and whether his service-connected neurological condition is related to his current symptoms.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed arteriosclerotic heart disease and coronary artery disease did not have its onset in service or within one year thereafter, and are not etiologically linked to his service-connected disabilities. The Board also determined that the Veteran's PTSD and diabetes mellitus do not cause or aggravate his heart conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including scarlet fever residuals and heart disease, are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board found that the cause of the Veteran's death (asystole due to congestive heart failure) did not develop during his active service and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability. The Veteran had been service-connected for PTSD, but this condition was not considered the principal or contributory cause of death.

The Board has granted service connection for CAD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence in favor of this claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension, finding that these conditions are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause his death and played no substantial or material part in it, leading to a denial of the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records related to the Veteran's valvular heart disease and endocarditis. The Veteran is advised that failure to cooperate with the requested examination may result in an adverse determination.