Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2010

The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for dysthymic disorder and has also raised several service connection claims.,The Veteran seeks to reopen his service connection claim for prostate cancer. He also raises claims for service connection for a heart condition (atrial fibrillation with third degree AV block, status post pacemaker), hypertension, benign prostatic hypertrophy with nocturia, and TDIU.,The Veteran is seeking to reopen his service connection claim for a heart condition. He also raises claims for service connection for prostate cancer, hypertension, benign prostatic hypertrophy with nocturia, and TDIU.,The Veteran seeks to reopen his service connection claim for hypertension. He also raises claims for service connection for prostate cancer, a heart condition (atrial fibrillation with third degree AV block, status post pacemaker), benign prostatic hypertrophy with nocturia, and TDIU.,The Veteran is seeking to reopen his service connection claim for benign prostatic hypertrophy with nocturia. He also raises claims for service connection for prostate cancer, a heart condition (atrial fibrillation with third degree AV block, status post pacemaker), hypertension, and TDIU.,The Veteran seeks to reopen his service connection claim for prostate cancer. He also raises claims for service connection for a heart condition (atrial fibrillation with third degree AV block, status post pacemaker), hypertension, benign prostatic hypertrophy with nocturia, and TDIU.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a heart disorder, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran is now entitled to have his claims for service connection reviewed.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) due to diabetes mellitus. Service connection was denied for hypertension, ulcers, heart condition, right eye condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for atherosclerotic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities (numbness of the toes), right knee disorder, and skin disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no competent evidence linking his fatal cardiac arrest to cold weather exposure during active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin cancer, heart disease, and stroke are not related to his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service exposure or a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran is entitled to special monthly pension benefits due to his nonservice-connected disabilities and age over 65, meeting the criteria for housebound status.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current heart condition, including whether it is related to service or pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension is being remanded due to the need for clarification on whether these conditions are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected cold injury residuals of the hands and feet.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking any service-connected disability to his death from congestive heart failure.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be at least as likely as not caused by in-service noise exposure. The Board grants service connection for this disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed lung and heart disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the claims for hypertension and heart disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot disorder and denied the remaining claims. The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder was incurred during active service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his shell fragment wound and tracheotomy residuals was granted, with a 10 percent disability rating assigned. The claims to reopen service connection for heart disease and left foot disability were also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and dermatitis. However, it denied service connection for heart disease as there is no evidence linking it to service or exposure to TCE.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease were denied by the RO. The Veteran was scheduled for a hearing but requested to be rescheduled due to being out of state, which has not been accommodated yet.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder and coronary artery disease, both on the basis of presumed exposure to herbicides. The evidence did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's disabilities are not sufficient to meet the criteria for special monthly pension at the aid and attendance rate due to his ability to dress, keep himself clean, and manage daily activities without assistance.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of a separate rating for hypertensive heart disease and issuance of a Statement of the Case on the earlier effective date issue.