Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2011

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, including coronary artery disease and ischemic cardiomyopathy, for which he was taking prescribed medications prior to and on the date of his death, is considered service-connected based on presumed exposure to herbicides in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran did not have a chronic heart disorder during service, and there is no evidence of such condition within one year post-service. The Board finds that the current heart disorder is not related to military service.

The Veteran's death was caused by ischemic cardiomyopathy and valvular heart disease, which the private cardiologist opined were related to his service-connected PTSD. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, prostate cancer, was not related to any service-connected disability and denied DIC benefits based on service connection for the cause of death.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by military service, including as secondary to asbestos exposure.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a right shoulder disorder, hypertension, and heart disorder. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional development regarding these claims.,The Veteran also seeks increased ratings for his PTSD with depressive disorder and neck disorders.

The Veteran's death was caused by congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with coronary artery disease being a contributing factor. The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease, which is subject to presumptive service connection due to his Vietnam-era service, materially hastened his death.

The Veteran's sinus disorder is found to be related to his service, and he is granted service connection. The status of the initial evaluations for CAD with stent placement and hypertension remains unclear.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions and SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound were received by the RO after his death, but prior to the issuance of a final decision. As such, these claims are not considered pending at the time of his death.

The Veteran's spouse is eligible for CHAMPVA benefits as of March 31, 2009, due to the Veteran being permanently and totally disabled from service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease, bilateral hip deterioration, chronic headaches, and memory loss and sleep problems due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service. The Veteran's claims were not supported by medical records showing symptoms or treatment during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and Social Security Administration records, as well as a supplemental opinion from his private physician regarding the relationship between his service-connected diabetes mellitus and his heart disorder.

The Board finds that the appellant's coronary artery disease is presumed to have been incurred in service due to his exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam-era service.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and readjudication due to inadequate VA examination reports in 2006 and 2007, which did not consider all of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities in combination.

The Veteran's heart disorder, cataracts, and erectile dysfunction are presumed to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) is currently rated at 100 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The Board has also granted entitlement to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran died due to or as a consequence of acute myocardial infarction. The appellant contends that service connection for the cause of death should be granted based on his heart condition, which was not service-connected during his lifetime.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by VA treatment and was not proximately caused by VA carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Johnson City Medical Center on June 5, 2009 were approved as the treatment was for a condition of such nature that a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected delay in seeking immediate medical attention to be hazardous to life or health. Additionally, VA facilities were not feasibly available.