Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, finding that it was not attributable to disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor related to his service-connected anxiety neurosis.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that they were not incurred or aggravated by active service and are not proximately due to or the result of service-connected diabetes mellitus Type II.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the veteran's claimed stressors and determine if he currently has PTSD, as well as whether any heart disorder is related to his PTSD. The RO must also schedule a VA examination to assess these issues.

The appellant is seeking to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a cardiac disorder, claimed as secondary to the service-connected rheumatic fever. The case must be remanded due to inadequate notification and development.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and heart disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant, as they do not result in anatomical loss of an extremity. The veteran is also not entitled to special monthly compensation on account of the need for regular aid and attendance due to his inability to perform personal care functions.

The Board denied service connection for a pulmonary disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, heart disorder (hypertension), and skeletal disorder. The veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and impotency are being remanded due to the need for additional development including verification of stressors and examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current heart disease, including coronary artery disease and hypertension, is not related to any events or illness during service. As a result, the claim for service connection for heart disease was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current coronary artery disease is related to his elevated cholesterol in service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to lack of evidence linking his current conditions to his military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the veteran's valvular heart disease and endocarditis are attributable to service or a service-connected disability, including as secondary to his right ear fungal infection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hypertension, arteriosclerotic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, or peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities that are attributable to military service.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for medical examinations and further review of the claims file. The veteran's service connection claims will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and heart disease, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his time in service. The veteran was not exposed to herbicides during his service on Vieques Island.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic disability manifested by swelling of unspecified joints.,The Board also denied service connection for a chronic disability manifested by an inability to walk. The veteran's complaints were not supported by medical evidence.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. Service connection is established for an acquired nervous disorder, heart condition, Type II adult onset diabetes mellitus, and a skin disorder due to Agent Orange exposure. Claims for pancreatitis, low back pain, knee pains, and erectile dysfunction were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to recent treatment records and a need to consider evidence submitted by the veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease and brady and tachy arrhythmias, finding that these conditions were not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected residuals of rheumatic fever.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from February 14 to February 20, 2004 are granted as the condition was emergent and no VA facility was feasibly available.