Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2009

The Board has remanded the case to obtain missing service treatment records from Fort Dix, where the Veteran served in 1968. The claim will be reconsidered based on these additional records.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal for heart disease and all related issues.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, diabetes mellitus (due to herbicide exposure), and heart disease have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD during service or currently suffers from PTSD. Diabetes mellitus is not related to service, nor can it be presumed due to herbicide exposure. Heart disease was also not related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the appellant's current heart condition is related to service, specifically ACDUTRA. The examiner should also provide opinions on whether any congenital defect identified in service was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and vision problems are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and opinions from VA examiners.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, status-post myocardial infarction, is currently rated at 30 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for 2005 was denied by the VAMC. The Board has decided to remand the case back to the VAMC for further action, including obtaining additional medical records and providing proper notice under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Veteran's claims for stomach, hypertension, heart, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities were denied as there is no competent medical evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including renal insufficiency with hypertension, cataracts, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, hearing loss, and tinnitus render the Veteran unemployable. Therefore, the Board finds that entitlement to individual unemployability is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ingrown toenails, a bilateral hand disorder, migraine headaches, complex allergies, and increased ratings for her service-connected rheumatoid arthritis of the knees, wrists, and feet, as well as an earlier effective date for her disability evaluations, are all denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee DJD and heart condition, which are related to service-connected injuries.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The Board found that the residuals of Bell's palsy did not warrant a higher evaluation, and the residuals of the gunshot wound to the left thigh and hand did not meet the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation of the Veteran's hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities due to inadequate examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic heart disorder and hypertension are being remanded due to incomplete development of the record, including obtaining additional diagnostic testing and ensuring proper notification regarding new and material evidence requirements.

The appellant has withdrawn his appeal for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease will be reconsidered with these additional records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased special monthly compensation were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or additional benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by VA hospital care, medical or surgical treatment, and the proximate cause of his death was due to VA's failure to exercise proper judgment in admitting him for necessary care.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart disease, kidney disorder, liver disorder and hepatitis B, low back disorder, headaches, and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The appeals were all dismissed as new evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board determined that the Veteran's heart disorder was not incurred or aggravated during active service, and denied his claim for service connection.