Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was granted. His initial rating for PTSD was increased to 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to claims of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and coronary artery disease or atherosclerotic heart disease. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the claim on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disability is etiologically related to his exposure to herbicides during active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, heart condition (claimed as heart attack), and arm disability (claimed as loss of use of arm).

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current heart disorder and there is no evidence of such during service. As such, the claim for service connection for a heart disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a copy of the March 2004 autopsy report and requesting a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected seizure disorder contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claims for lung and heart disabilities due to mustard gas exposure have been granted. Service connection is established for flat feet, but denied for left ankle and right knee disabilities, dermatitis, and PTSD rating increased.

The Veteran's service-connected rheumatic heart disease with mitral insufficiency and severe aortic stenosis is currently rated at 100 percent, effective May 14, 2008.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death. This includes obtaining medical opinions and private treatment records, as well as ensuring proper notification under VCAA.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which combine to a schedular evaluation of 90 percent, likely do not allow him to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise in showing that he is unable to perform such work.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a heart condition is remanded for further development and readjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including those allegedly related to ionizing radiation exposure, are not supported by the evidence of record and have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claim of service connection for residuals of a left wrist fracture, including as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The issue of entitlement to specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for rheumatic valvular heart disease with aortic valve replacement has been denied as the earliest possible effective date is March 7, 2008, based on the date of receipt of his claim. The decision also notes that August 27, 2007 was assigned due to private treatment records not in VA's possession prior to the receipt of the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disorder, sleep disorder, and left knee disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining pulmonary function studies and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart condition and pneumonia.

The Veteran's hypertension and heart condition are being reviewed due to his service, but a VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions were aggravated by service or otherwise related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current coronary artery disease (CAD) is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As a result, secondary service connection for CAD is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is due to hemochromatosis. The issues of service connection for coronary artery disease and a psychiatric disorder remain under review.