Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2010

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition and denied both the claim for service connection for cause of death and the DIC under Section 1318.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between his PTSD and heart disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is not related to his service-connected gunshot wound of the left thigh muscle group XIV, and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical transportation expenses incurred on May 4, 2007 is denied as there was no showing of a medical emergency that would have been hazardous to the life or health if delayed.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disability is rated at 100 percent from September 28, 2004 to March 24, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his inability to attend a scheduled hearing. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, digestive disorder (GERD), and coronary artery disease are still pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including rotator cuff tear of the left shoulder, right shoulder disorder, left and right ankle disorders, left and right knee disorders, arteriosclerotic heart disease (ASHD), hypertension, and a neurological disorder (headaches) have all been denied. The Board found that none of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to address the Veteran's claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disorder, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The claim for bilateral pes planus was not addressed as it had already been previously denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for deviated nasal septum and granted it. The other issues were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The claims of service connection and disability rating will be further evaluated after the hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is a result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, ischemic cardiomyopathy and valvular heart disease, is less likely than not related to his service-connected PTSD. The medical evidence does not support a finding that any of the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus with cataracts and erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and scars, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The heart condition and depression secondary to knee disabilities are not addressed as the appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to potential new presumptions of service connection and other issues related to cardiovascular disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, cardiovascular disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, congestive heart failure, lung disability, eye disability, peripheral neuropathy, lymphedema, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and any heart conditions or hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current heart disorder other than hypertension, and thus service connection for a heart disorder is denied.