Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for atherosclerotic heart disease and coronary artery disease, claimed as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for an examination to determine if these conditions are caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder did not cause or contribute to his death. The medical evidence does not support a causal relationship between the Veteran's PTSD and his coronary artery disease, hypertension, or other conditions leading to his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's notice of disagreement was not timely filed, and therefore denied his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are dismissed as the claim for depression is part and parcel of his already service-connected PTSD. The Board finds no allegations of errors of fact or law to review.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected PTSD, which contributed substantially to cause his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right arm and shoulder disability, claimed as secondary to his left shoulder disability, cannot be reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the BUE, psychiatric disability, vision loss, hypertension, sexual dysfunction, and bilateral feet problems are all denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, including aortic valve disease and hypertension. The claim is therefore denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with anxiety affecting stuttering, and thus denied the claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death was not related to his service-connected disabilities, including his cold injuries. The preponderance of evidence indicated that the Veteran's coronary artery disease did not stem from his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's medical expenses at St. Francis Heart Hospital were reimbursed as the VA facilities were not feasibly available and the emergency situation had not resolved prior to his discharge.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not cause or contribute to his death from a stroke. The Veteran died of a stroke, which was not caused by any incident of service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer and heart disease, as well as his increased rating claims for arthralgia with gout and right ankle traumatic arthritis. The decision also noted that prior to the hearing, the Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding prostate cancer.

The service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder aggravated the underlying heart conditions resulting in death, and is therefore considered a contributory cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for coronary artery disease, either as directly incurred during service or secondary to his service-connected PTSD and/or diabetes mellitus. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition as there is no competent evidence showing he has this disability since separation from service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including osteoarthritis of the right hip and knee, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease (claimed as a heart disorder), left hip dislocation, ocular hypertension, urethra neuritis, and prostate cancer. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claims for secondary service connection are denied as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to a service-connected disability.