Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the cause of the veteran's heart disease, which is believed to be related to service. The VA will schedule a cardiovascular examination and obtain a medical opinion on whether the emotional and physical stresses in service are the proximate cause of the veteran's heart condition.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased initial evaluation for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional records from Social Security Administration and VA medical centers.

The veteran's death triggered the payment of accrued benefits due to his service-connected arteriosclerotic heart disease, which had a 100% disability rating as of July 21, 1995.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, a groin disorder, residuals of cerebrovascular accident, and seizure disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected thrombophlebitis.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected WPW syndrome was denied. The claim for service connection for CAD was also denied, and the TDIU claim is deferred due to its inextricability with the WPW syndrome claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease, finding that his condition did not increase in severity during service and was not related to military service.

The Board found that the veteran's low back and heart disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor could they be presumed to have been so incurred. The claims for service connection were therefore denied.

The Board finds that the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, which was under control prior to his death, contributed substantially and materially to his cause of death. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence showing it required additional treatment beyond what was already provided.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cause of death, arteriosclerotic heart disease and ischemic cardiomyopathy, was not incurred in or related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart disease was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension but denied service connection for coronary artery disease.

The veteran's coronary artery disease has not involved more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year, a workload of greater than 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs; or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 30 to 50 percent. Therefore, his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not file a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) with respect to an August 2001 rating decision denying service connection for heart disease, residuals of prostate cancer, and a psychiatric disability. As such, the appeal is dismissed.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and hypertension, finding that his disability is no more than a 30 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension on account of being in need of aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential exposure to herbicides and pesticides in Thailand, including Agent Orange. The veteran is requested to provide additional information and evidence.

The Board denied service connection for sinus congestion in April 2002 and again in February 2003, finding no evidence linking the condition to active military service.,The Board also denied service connection for valvular heart disease in April 2002 and again in February 2003, concluding that there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition or any event during service that caused or aggravated the condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and heart disease, finding no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination.