Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and heart disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his service records, including those from his unit at Camp Lejeune. Relevant private treatment records must also be obtained.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, postoperative residuals of coronary artery disease, and a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety), as well as his claim for an increased rating for right ear hearing loss. The April 1975 denial of service connection for left ear hearing loss is final.

The Board has determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation with left bundle-branch block and erectile dysfunction are aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that the veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently suffer from angina and concluded that service connection for coronary artery spasm with angina as secondary to PTSD is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if coronary artery disease began during service or is related to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and Hypertension effective January 31, 2003. The veteran's claims were previously denied in final decisions but reopened on January 31, 2003.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional VCAA notice. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is addressed separately.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, claimed as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease with a history of congestive heart failure is currently manifested by symptomatology productive of no lower than 5-7 metabolic equivalents (METs) and no lower ejection fraction than 55 percent. The criteria for an increased evaluation have not been met.

The veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, heart condition, and erectile dysfunction were denied. Service connection was granted for diabetes mellitus with a 20% rating throughout the appeal period. The veteran's peripheral neuropathy conditions are rated based on their severity.

The Board has determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for increased disability rating for PTSD with depression was granted, and he is now rated at 50 percent disabling effective from June 28, 2006. The original service connection claims for coronary artery disease, hypertension, CVA, and headaches remain pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's attempts to reopen his claims for service connection for a right nephrectomy and heart condition, both due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The evidence submitted since the April 1996 decision does not provide new and material evidence necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Board has found the evidence sufficient to establish service connection for heart disability and peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities on a secondary basis due to diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a heart disorder, finding no reasonable possibility that his current cardiac condition was caused by exposure to ionizing radiation in 1978 during the Enewetak Atoll Cleanup Operation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his coronary artery disease and TDIU prior to January 29, 2001 as there was no evidence meeting the criteria for an increased evaluation.

The VA determined that there is no medical evidence linking the veteran's cardiovascular disorders, including pericarditis, to his military service. The Board found that the veteran's current conditions are not likely related to his in-service pericarditis.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of rheumatic fever or a heart disorder that were incurred in service. The VA medical opinions do not support the claim.