Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, PTSD, and CAD have been granted. The Veteran was awarded a 70% rating for PTSD effective June 28, 2006, and a 60% rating for CAD effective May 5, 2005.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for residuals of a cerebrovascular accident, coronary artery disease, and hypertension have been granted at the 10 percent level from May 5, 2005 to December 26, 2006.

The Veteran's current valvular heart disease is found to be attributable to an episode of rheumatic fever during his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD and secondary CAD have rendered him wheelchair-bound, unable to be independently mobile or perform several activities of daily living without the aid and attendance of another. As a result, he is in need of regular aid and attendance due to loss of use of both lower extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than December 22, 2006 for a 60 percent rating for rheumatic heart disease with aortic insufficiency and arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the case for further proceedings consistent with a March 2010 decision of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, which found that VA's decision on the accrued benefits claim did not comply with regulations and required issuance of a rating decision. The issue of service connection for heart disease, lung disorder, and diabetes mellitus for accrued benefits purposes is being remanded as well due to its inextricability from the issue of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's current obstructive coronary artery disease, status post stent placement, began during his active service and is considered incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation of his diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's neuropathic pain of the left leg is likely due to a peroneal nerve injury sustained during service. The VA will schedule an examination to determine if his CAD is related to his service-connected residuals of shell fragment wound.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease, finding that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the inextricability of issues related to his service-connected PTSD and TDIU claim. The initial disability rating for PTSD must be resolved prior to further appellate action on the pending appeal.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hypertension, but denied the claims for service connection for low back disability and heart disability.,The Veteran's hypertension is considered a complication of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's current heart condition, including heart murmurs, was not incurred in service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board found that neither military service, to include herbicide exposure, nor a service-connected disorder caused or contributed to the Veteran's death. The medical evidence did not support a link between any of the diagnosed conditions and military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to render him unemployable, and the Board grants his claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including venous disorder and diabetes mellitus, are not related to military service or a service-connected disability. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for various conditions allegedly resulting from VA treatment for Hodgkin's disease beginning in January 2004.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for additional medical evidence. The claim will be reconsidered after these requirements are met.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that coronary artery disease did not cause or contribute to his death.