Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The claims will be readjudicated after these opinions are obtained.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, heart disability, and bilateral knee disabilities have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic carcinoma of unknown primary, with coronary artery disease as a significant condition. The appellant contends that the cause of death may be related to service-connected prostate cancer due to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. The Board has ordered additional development including obtaining service personnel records and medical records from private physicians.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart condition, an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service-connected pes planus, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss and neuropathy of the left foot. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, heart disorder, right foot drop, right and left knee disorders, and right and left hip disorders were denied as these conditions did not develop during active service or are otherwise not related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, chronic tinnitus, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, chronic nephritis, endocarditis, brain thrombosis, and cardiovascular disease were all denied as the evidence did not show that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor can they be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board finds that the reduction in rating for hypertension from 60% to 10% was proper. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as he meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity neuropathy, a heart disorder, and retinal detachment. The decision also found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for right lower extremity neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining SSA and Michigan State Disability Assistance records. The notice provided to the Veteran must include information on what evidence would be necessary to satisfy the elements of the underlying claims found insufficient in previous denials.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have legal entitlement to dependency and indemnity compensation, death pension, or accrued benefits due to a forfeiture decision against the Veteran.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for coronary artery bypass graft times four, which he underwent in 1996. He contends that this procedure was complicated and aggravated by his service-connected rheumatic fever. The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the current cardiovascular disorder is caused or aggravated by service-connected rheumatic fever.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the etiology of any current heart disorder, as the existing evidence is insufficient for proper adjudication.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was rated at 60% effective November 14, 2006. Before that date and after December 27, 2007, the rating remained at 10%. The Veteran's condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for arteriosclerotic heart disease and a separate 10% rating for hypertension was denied as there were no symptoms warranting such ratings within the year prior to July 14, 2004.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is not proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction and sleep apnea are found to be aggravated by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder and diabetes mellitus, type 2. The claim for direct service connection is denied.

The Board found that the October 1992 rating decision denying service connection for a heart condition did not involve clear and unmistakable error (CUE).