Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2008

The veteran seeks service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD), which he claims is related to his military service, including a cholecystectomy in November 1976. The Board finds that further development of the record is required to determine if CAD is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing service medical records and a need for another medical nexus opinion.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for heart disease, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease status post myocardial infarction due to lack of verified in-service stressors, no herbicide exposure during service, and failure to meet the presumptive regulations regarding Agent Orange exposure. The appellant is not precluded from establishing direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board is considering whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for cardiovascular disease, including hypertension and coronary artery disease. The issues are mixed as some aspects of the claim may be granted while others may not.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess his ASHD and a new audiometric evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with a 30 percent rating assigned for coronary artery disease with hypertension. Separate compensable evaluations were also granted for hypertension.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left upper extremity ulnar neuropathy, special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate, and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for hepatitis C associated with glomerulonephritis with nephrotic syndrome, hypertension, and heart disease. The Board found that there was no evidence to support service connection due to lack of a direct link between the veteran's active duty service or his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease and increased ratings for subacromial bursitis of the right shoulder were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to heart disease, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support higher ratings for the right shoulder condition.

The July 1992 rating decision denying service connection for a low back disorder is upheld as not being the result of clear and unmistakable error. The claim to reopen the low back disorder was denied, and service connection for heart disease and hearing loss were also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Board has determined that the case must be returned to the RO for additional development, including obtaining a detailed explanation of any prior authorization for the treatment received at Leesburg Regional Medical Center.

The Board has determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease, chronic fatigue, multiple joint pain, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are all related to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, arthritis of the right knee and back, and a heart condition. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, Type II diabetes mellitus, and chronic tinnitus. The veteran requested withdrawal of his claim for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus at a hearing before the Board.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not timely file a Substantive Appeal in the matter of his initial rating for right bundle block, status post myocardial infarction with coronary artery disease. As such, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the RO's November 2002 decision granting service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to diabetes mellitus was clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The veteran's claim is restored.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for hypertension, heart disease, pulmonary tuberculosis, and residuals of an appendectomy as these conditions did not have onset during active service or within applicable presumptive periods.

The Board found that the veteran's heart condition post-coronary bypass surgery did not qualify as a qualifying additional disability under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, and thus denied his claim for compensation benefits.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing Dingess/Hartman VCAA notice.