Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2010

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA cardiovascular examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease with hypertension will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with an initial rating of 10% for prostate cancer effective February 8, 2007. The claim for higher ratings for erectile dysfunction was denied.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 30 percent rating for hypertension, effective March 1, 2007. The heart condition claim is remanded due to inadequate examination and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cold injury residuals and peripheral neuropathy, contributed to his death from Alzheimer's disease and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran is in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly pension benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is currently rated at 30 percent, which reflects a moderate degree of impairment.

The Veteran does not have heart disease that is related to his military service.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction, is rated at 60 percent since the date of claim. The Veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain is rated at 20 percent from April 29, 2002, and prior to that date was rated at 10 percent. There is no rating assigned for joint and muscle pain due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's current cardiovascular disease was not incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board found no evidence to support a claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining records from USAMRIID and providing VCAA compliant notice regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected nephritis with hypertension and coronary artery disease.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to be scheduled for VA examinations for his claimed left knee and heart disorders. The case is now REMANDED due to failure to notify the Veteran of the scheduled examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disability was not incurred or aggravated as a result of his service-connected anxiety disorder, NOS. The criteria for an evaluation for post-operative scrotal scar prior to September 30, 2009 and from September 30, 2009 have not been met. The requirements for a TDIU prior to June 22, 2008 have also not been met.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for SMC based on housebound allowance, but the Board finds that no such effective date can be assigned as he did not meet the criteria for this benefit prior to October 23, 2003.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is not related to service and cannot be granted on a secondary basis due to lack of service connection for hypertension.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and determined that it is due to a heart condition related to his service-connected psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's death was not caused by any other conditions, and the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder contributed to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA examination reports.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease with stent and bypass grafting were not incurred as the result of VA surgical treatment, hospital care, or medical treatment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete treatment records and the need for VA examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and was not exposed to herbicides. Therefore, service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease status post myocardial infarction, and hypertension cannot be granted based on exposure to Agent Orange.