Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's inability to travel for a hearing, and will schedule a videoconference hearing at the next available opportunity.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a heart disorder (originally claimed as a heart murmur).

The Board found that the Veteran's heart condition and hypertension did not manifest during or as a result of his military service, nor were they permanently aggravated by any service-connected conditions. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Veteran's increased evaluation claim for coronary artery disease was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied as the service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private medical facility on July 12-13, 2005 due to lack of evidence showing an ongoing emergency and because VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease, as well as his increased rating claims for cold injury residuals in each foot and neuropathy of the lower extremities. The decision also noted that the Veteran withdrew his appeal on some issues prior to final action.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a heart disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for further examination.

The Board found that the cause of death (multi-symptom organ failure) was not caused by or related to service, and the Veteran's pre-existing coronary artery disease did not worsen due to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current coronary artery disease is related to his period of active service. The case is REMANDED for a cardiovascular VA examination and further action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's ischemic heart disease and/or chronic lymphocytic leukemia and/or B cell leukemia caused or contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease, with residuals of a myocardial infarction with a stent, is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer, hypothyroidism, sterility, vision disorder, heart disease, blood disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, and radiation burns, are denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and exposure to ionizing radiation during active service.

The Board has reopened the appellant's previously denied service connection claims for residuals of a stroke, poor circulation, blindness of the left eye, heart disability to include angina, and lung disorder. The right leg and ankle disorder claim is also reopened. Service connection was granted for PTSD with a 50% disability rating effective August 25, 2003. However, the Board found that new evidence did not establish service connection for chest injury or jaw injury.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus. Service connection for coronary artery disease is also granted as it is aggravated by the service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring special home adaptation.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was granted effective November 17, 2006. The Board finds that the evidence did not establish he was unemployable prior to this date.

The Veteran's death is being reviewed to determine if his hypertension, which he had post-service and attributed to military service, contributed substantially or materially to his death. Additionally, the VA medical treatment for an umbilical hernia repair in August 2005 will be evaluated for any improper care that may have caused his death.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, and hemorrhoids. The Veteran's current conditions were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and his military service.