Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2010

The Board denied service connection for bilateral heel spurs, a heart disability, hypertension, and a scar of the right thigh. The appellant's claims were based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the Board finds that his service-connected conditions do not warrant a higher evaluation or TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and conducting VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his heart and respiratory disabilities, as well as determining whether any additional disability arose from May 2006 VA treatment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, liver disease (primary biliary cirrhosis), interstitial lung disease (follicular bronchiolitis and connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease) and sleep apnea have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his active service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current heart condition, seizure disorder, tinnitus, lung disorder, or diabetes mellitus that is service-connected. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current heart condition is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus type II, have rendered him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted SMC based on this need.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities with resulting amputations and is now considering whether new evidence supports a grant of this claim. The Board also intends to consider the issue of ischemic heart disease, which may be related to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical treatment at Saint Louise Regional Hospital is being remanded for clarification on his service-connected disabilities and further development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have aggravated his pre-existing CAD, and the Board grants service connection for CAD as secondary to PTSD.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, but denied the claim as there was no direct or presumptive link between any service-connected condition and the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disease was not caused by or aggravated by any service-connected condition, including PTSD. Therefore, his death is not considered to be due to a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting heart disorder, including a rheumatic heart condition, was not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence showed no symptoms during service and clear and unmistakable evidence indicated the condition existed prior to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed coronary artery disease is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The heart disability and skin disability issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of diabetes mellitus and service connection for hypertension were denied by the RO. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher initial disability rating for diabetes mellitus, but noted that his hypertension claim was pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, chest pain, high cholesterol, and a disability manifested by central nervous system ischemic changes. The effective date of the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus was set at April 5, 2006.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of an acute myocardial infarction, status post coronary artery bypass graft, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hiatal hernia. The claim for a higher evaluation in excess of 30 percent for hiatal hernia is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and examination.