Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2010

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased rating for arteriosclerotic heart disease (AHD).

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease and resulting heart transplant are found to be related to service and contributed substantially to his death.

The Veteran's CFS, respiratory disability, heart disability, intestinal disability, bilateral shoulder disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety), headaches, arthritis of all joints, and fibromyalgia were not related to service.,Service connection for hypertension was granted but the rating assigned is noncompensable (zero percent).,The Veteran's lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease currently manifests as pain and minimal limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including scleroderma of the back, coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus with complications, and anatomical loss of both feet. The effective dates for these benefits have also been adjusted. However, the issues involving PTSD remain on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and a heart disorder, to include HTN. The decision also addressed his claim for TDIU but did not specify whether it was granted or denied.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is related to her in-service complaints, and she has been granted service connection for this condition. The heart disorder is secondary to hypertension, but the examiner must determine if it was aggravated by active duty. The bilateral foot disorder may be due to surgery during active duty, and the nasal and eye disorders are likely due to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease has not manifested more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year, or a workload of greater than 5 METs but not greater than 7 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope. The left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 68 percent is well over the required threshold for a higher rating.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, status post coronary artery bypass graft, is rated at 30 percent prior to March 9, 2006 and at 60 percent thereafter. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met in either period.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease was rated at 60 percent effective September 25, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 (DM), coronary artery disease (CAD), and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, valvular heart disease, right hand CTS, and bilateral plantar fasciitis with heel spur and pes planus have been granted initial ratings. The lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, hypertension, hiatal hernia, and right index finger fracture are all rated at the minimum noncompensable level. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for any of these conditions based on the current evidence.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for a heart disorder, including tachybrady syndrome, status post pacemaker placement, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated during service and may not be presumed to have been incurred during active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his exposure to herbicides during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his transfer and treatment at Tallahassee Memorial Regional Medical Center were deemed elective and non-emergent, thus not subject to reimbursement.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for lung cancer residuals was pending at the time of his death. His April 2005 pulmonary function test results supported an award of a 60 percent disability rating, which is granted as accrued benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to issues related to his service-connected PTSD, coronary artery disease, and TDIU claim. The case will be returned for further development including obtaining updated VA treatment records, a VA examination, and readjudication.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and because of deficiencies in a previous VA examination.

The Board finds that none of the service-connected conditions caused or contributed to the Veteran's death. The preponderance of evidence is against granting service connection for the cause of death.