Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychopathic personality disorder, emotional instability with asocial behavior (claimed as marked anxiety and neurosis), bipolar disorder, and heart condition were denied. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural defects, including the need for an SOC on his claim of service connection for blood in the stool. The claims for CAD, residuals of status post ventral hernia repair, and residuals of status post appendectomy and partial cecectomy are secondary to his claimed condition of blood in the stool.

The Veteran's hypertensive ischemic heart disease and degenerative joint disease of the left ankle are currently rated at 10 percent each, but do not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on their current manifestations.

The Board has granted service connection for supraventricular tachycardia, finding that the Veteran's heart palpitations more likely than not began during military service. The issue of TDIU is remanded due to a timely notice of disagreement.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including VA examinations to evaluate the severity of his hepatitis C and whether his coronary artery disease is aggravated by his service-connected hepatitis C.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability and he did not have a permanent, total service connected disability at the time of his death. Therefore, entitlement to service connection for the cause of death is denied. The appellant's eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code has also been denied as there was no permanent total service-connected disability at the time of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current coronary artery disease is related to hypercholesterolemia initially identified in service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is entitled to special monthly pension based on housebound status due to multiple non-service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease. He also meets the age requirement for this benefit.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records.

The Veteran's cause of death was not caused by or aggravated by any service-connected condition, and there is no evidence linking his death to asbestos exposure or combat wounds.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied because the medical evidence does not show additional disability beyond the natural progression of his coronary artery disease, and there is no indication that VA care or treatment caused any unforeseeable events.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is being remanded due to inadequate notice and the need for additional medical records.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for coronary artery disease, right leg scar from CABG, chest scar from CABG, and residuals of fractures of the left index and little fingers have been granted at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his urinary disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and determining the nature of his periods of National Guard duty.

The Veteran's service-connected bronchiectasis is rated at 60 percent, effective from November 23, 2005. The heart disorder claim remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic bronchitis materially contributed to his death from end stage dilated cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, and hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected conditions, including myocardial arrhythmia and ischemia due to coronary artery atherosclerosis. The Board also found that the Veteran likely had diabetes as a result of Agent Orange exposure during service, which contributed to his cardiovascular issues leading to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection on a presumptive basis for heart disease due to ionizing radiation exposure is being remanded as the RO has not complied with the Board's previous instructions.