Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2010

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for chest pain/heart disease treatment at Crouse Hospital from April 16, 2008 to April 18, 2008 are now reimbursable due to the emergent nature of his condition and VA facilities not being feasibly available.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not cause or aggravate his diagnosed hypertension, but did not address whether it aggravated his heart disorder. The claim for hypertension is denied as there is no diagnosis of a heart disorder at any time during the appeal period.

The Board denied service connection for an eye disability, a heart disability, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's keratoconus was found to have pre-existed service and not been aggravated during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, or any link to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's cardiovascular condition is not secondary to his service-connected hypertension and denied the claim.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for heart disease is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a heart disorder that is causally related to service. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, remains pending as additional evidence and examination are needed.

The Veteran's CAD was rated at 30 percent effective January 14, 2004. The earlier effective date of August 9, 2001 for the rating is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that his tinnitus, left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and nephropathy are related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred from March 18, 2007 to March 22, 2007 was denied by the VA Medical Center in Muskogee, Oklahoma. The denial is based on the fact that the Veteran's condition had stabilized enough for transfer to a VA facility.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the appellant is not eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus, and a cardiac disorder (coronary artery disease and tachycardia) have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service stressors related to PTSD, and that there was no medical evidence linking the Veteran's current disabilities to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence and missing service records. The Veteran will need to undergo a VA examination, provide additional information, and have his records updated.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, chest pain (heart disorder), warts, lesions of the eyes, hemorrhoids, bilateral pes planus, and erectile dysfunction were all denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran is essentially so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance by another person, meeting the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected coronary artery disease, status post bypass; and denied his claims of service connection for sleep apnea and DJD of the right hip. The decision concluded that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's sleep apnea or DJD of the right hip to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to uncertainty regarding the appellant's period of active duty for training in October 1986 and potential need for further medical examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's hypertension is related to his service in Vietnam and Agent Orange exposure. The Board has granted service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Via Christi Regional Medical Center was denied as the VA facility in Wichita, Kansas (the closest to his home) was deemed feasible and available for use prior to seeking treatment at Via Christi.