Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's claims of service connection for GERD, coronary artery disease, and hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's death was caused by lung cancer, which is not service-connected. Other significant conditions contributing to his death (atherosclerotic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and chronic lung disease) are also not service-connected.

The Board has restored the 10 percent rating for service-connected residuals of a left thumb fracture and granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's anxiety disorder is not shown to meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, mitral regurgitation, and coronary artery bypass graft with valve repair is currently rated at 30 percent disabling. Bilateral heel spurs with heel calluses are each rated at 10 percent disabling since January 9, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected heart disease is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's rheumatic heart disease existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination or medical opinion on his claim of service connection for alcohol dependency secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board found that the appellant's diabetes mellitus and heart condition did not manifest during a period of active duty or within one year after separation from such a period. The conditions are also not presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to certain environments or substances. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to service or carbon tetrachloride exposure, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in service. The Board also determined that the current heart disorder did not develop as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the cause of death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to require the aid and attendance of another. The non-service-connected age/senility with generalized body weakness, flexion contractures of the knees with loss of motion and multiple arthritis has rendered him so helpless as to require the aid and attendance of another.

The Board denied service connection for arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease and a disability manifested by loss of feeling in the arms and hands, finding no evidence of such conditions during or after service. The Veteran's claims were not related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a copy of the CT scan report and any follow-up records. The claims for service connection for chronic lung disease and coronary artery disease will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of performing the physical acts required by sedentary employment.

The VA determined that the Veteran's cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease, is not related to his service-connected bilateral tinea unguium, both feet, and amputation of the right fourth toe.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of greater than 10 percent for rheumatic heart disease is denied as there are no symptoms related to the condition throughout the period of appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection were denied as there was no formal or informal claim for these conditions prior to April 22, 2004.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, cardiovascular heart disease, vitiligo, and erectile dysfunction, all secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.