Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, heart disability, and hypertension are not supported by evidence of a nexus to service or any presumptive conditions.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for the veteran's cause of death, finding that there is no evidence linking his fatal heart attack to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking it to his military service or to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's heart condition is related to his service-connected PTSD. The lung condition issue remains pending.

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

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and entitlement to DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that there was no evidence linking the veteran's fatal ischemic cardiomyopathy or coronary artery disease to his active service.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating. His hypertension and diabetes mellitus are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart disorder was not related to service or manifested within a year of service, and thus denied the claim for service connection for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board has ordered a remand to clarify whether the veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia are causally related to service. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining clarifying medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease is not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected sleep apnea.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension by reason of regular aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for heart disease and systolic ejection murmur, but denied them on their merits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus caused his coronary artery disease, and thus secondary service connection is granted.

The veteran's claim for eligibility for vocational rehabilitation and employment services, specifically, lapidary equipment through independent living services was denied as the achievement of a vocational goal is not currently feasible.

The Board dismissed the motion seeking review of a December 2006 decision denying an earlier effective date for service connection due to withdrawal of the motion.

The veteran's appeal for payment of unauthorized medical expenses in August 2002 and August 2003 was denied as VA did not provide prior authorization, despite the care being related to a service-connected condition. The Board found that the emergency had stabilized by the time the veteran received treatment at private facilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing medical records and for proper VCAA notice regarding disability ratings and effective dates.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, which is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examination and development of evidence related to service connection for hypertension and coronary heart disease.