Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2010

The Veteran meets the schedular percentage threshold criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, and is unemployable solely due to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disease is more likely than not aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants secondary service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disability, including hypertension, was not incurred or aggravated during his service and denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records and a need for further examination regarding the Veteran's heart disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted effective from November 21, 2001 due to the increase in his service-connected coronary artery disease rating. The earliest possible effective date is therefore November 21, 2001.

The Veteran's disabilities, including blindness in one eye and heart disease, render him unable to protect himself from daily hazards without the aid of another person. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for hypertensive heart disease and service connection for right hydrocele.

The Board has remanded the claims due to changes in VA regulations regarding service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders. Further development is needed, including obtaining SSA records, arranging for a VA examination, and considering new regulatory revisions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of a stroke, mental disability (depression with psychotic features), and heart disability (coronary artery disease) have been denied as there is no evidence of chronic conditions during service or within one year after discharge. The current disabilities are not shown to be causally related to service.

The Board found no evidence of service-connected conditions that caused or contributed to the Veteran's death. The appellant claimed exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, but there was no such evidence and the RO did not find any connection between the Veteran's post-service health issues and his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board finds that there is no current diagnosis of a kidney disability, heart disability, or sleep apnea for which service connection can be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and METs measurements, as well as further development of his claim.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for hypertension and service connection for a heart disorder, to include as secondary to the service-connected hypertension, were denied. The Board finds that TDIU has been raised in this case.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death due to coronary artery disease and diabetes. The low back disability was deemed not a proximate cause of his death, but rather a minor factor in worsening his coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to continuity of symptomatology since service. The claims for diabetes mellitus, heart condition, and bilateral weakness of legs are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's CAD, status post bypass graft, is rated at 30 percent effective from January 12, 2009. His peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are each rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for an appropriate VA examination to determine if the appellant is in need of regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of hearing on some issues and because one claim is stayed based on new presumptions. The remaining eight claims are pending.