Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2008

The Board found that the veteran's claimed hypertension, dizziness, weakness, chest pains, dehydration, and heart disorder were not caused by VA medical care or treatment in September 1999 which discontinued Sinemet prescribed for Parkinson's disease. The proximate cause of these conditions was deemed to be unrelated to VA care.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, finding that there is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his current heart disorder and his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The case will be returned to the Board after this action.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the appellant withdrew it.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need to verify his exposure to Agent Orange in Korea.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by or a result of his service-connected conditions, and thus denied both the cause of death claim and the DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 claim.

The veteran's service-connected hypertension, manifested primarily by systolic readings below 160 and diastolic readings of 90 or less, was granted a compensable rating from August 7, 2001 through March 31, 2004.

The Board found that the veteran's heart disease and neck condition were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, which is etiologically related to active service. Therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disorder was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease is not secondary to his service-connected rheumatic fever, and therefore denied the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a currently diagnosed upper respiratory infection related to active service and therefore denied service connection for an upper respiratory infection. The case is being remanded for further development regarding the left knee disorder and heart disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a heart disorder or headaches. The claims of entitlement to initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for right foot hallux valgus and left foot hallux valgus are denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, cancerous lesions of the left and right feet, arthritis of both knees, and back disability. The evidence does not establish that any of these conditions are related to military service.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized non-VA medical expenses incurred on September 4, 2005 was denied because the services were not rendered in a medical emergency and no VA facility was feasibly available.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a chronic sleep disorder or skin disorder related to service. The veteran's hyperlipidemia was not shown to be incurred in service, and his foot fungus was first noted many years after service discharge without any inservice treatment records. Service connection for diabetes mellitus with subjective neuropathy of the lower extremities is granted but at a 20% rating.

The veteran seeks service connection for a heart disability and hypertension. The Board notes that the appeal is REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC), in Washington, DC.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death, adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, was not caused by his time in service and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death was not due to a disability incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor is it due to a disability that may be presumed to have been incurred therein. The appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease did not have its onset in service or for many years following separation from active service, and is not otherwise related to active service. The Board also found that there was no medical evidence showing a permanent increase in severity of coronary artery disease due to his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The veteran's initial evaluations for his left ankle condition, recurrent pruritis (skin disability), and lumbar spine disability have been granted with a 10 percent evaluation each. The other issues remain in appellate status.