Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2009

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for a specialized medical opinion regarding the cause of death.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's PTSD contributed to his death and whether it was related to service. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for this purpose.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and early degenerative changes of the left knee as secondary to a service-connected condition. The Veteran's heart condition is not considered service connected.,Service connection was established for PTSD based on credible evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right knee disorder or left knee disorder that is service-connected. The evidence shows no nexus between any current right or left knee disorders and his period of active service.

The Veteran's cause of death, renal cell carcinoma and coronary artery disease, is not service-connected. The Board found no evidence linking the conditions to his military service or any incident therein.

The Board has determined that a VA medical examination is necessary to address the etiology of the Veteran's heart disease, as there are conflicting opinions regarding its onset and relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including obtaining service personnel records and addressing the VCAA notice requirements.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of whether the appellant's current cardiac disorder is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claims, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for VA pension benefits was denied as the evidence did not show he was permanently and totally disabled prior to November 1999.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, allergic rhinitis with sinusitis, and right knee condition. The decision also noted that the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal for the right knee condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of death and the DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further consideration of his claims for service connection for chronic hearing loss disability and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran meets the criteria for special monthly pension on account of being housebound due to his multiple disabilities independently rated at more than 60 percent.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further action, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The Veteran's appeal will be returned to the Board after this is done.

The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease was granted a rating of 60 percent effective December 6, 2005. The rating for hypertension was also granted and is currently at 10 percent.

The Board found no evidence of in-service exposure to ionizing radiation or appendicitis, and denied service connection for all claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to additional clinical records submitted by the Veteran. The claims of service connection for a cardiovascular disability and the residuals of an eye injury will be reconsidered.