Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2012

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Naples Community Hospital on November 17, 2007 are not eligible for payment or reimbursement because VA facilities were reasonably available and an attempt to use them beforehand would have been reasonable, sound, wise, or practicable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was denied as there is no evidence of exposure to herbicides in Vietnam and the condition did not manifest until after service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no new and material evidence to reopen his claim for a back disorder. The other claims were also denied as the Veteran did not have current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Veteran's death was caused by COPD, which may be related to his service-connected welding exposure. The appellant has met the requirements for accrued benefits as her claim for DIC was pending at the time of her husband's death.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism and coronary artery disease (CAD), finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active service, including exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, while sufficient to meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further procedural and evidentiary development, including obtaining additional service treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA audiological and medical examinations to determine the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss and the nature and etiology of his claimed hypertension and heart disease disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, which was granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, caused or contributed to his death from hypertensive cardiovascular disease.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a 100% disability rating for his ischemic heart/coronary artery disease, which was granted in April and June 2011. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records from the period between 1985 and 2002.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a heart disability, which he claims is related to his service-connected interstitial fibrosis and pleural abnormalities. The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding whether the heart condition is caused or aggravated by the service-connected lung condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination. The claims of service connection will be adjudicated after these steps are completed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a heart disability, finding that there was no evidence showing a superimposed injury or disease during service and concluding that his current condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing. The claims for service connection remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including consideration of Persian Gulf War service under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his heart disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected atherosclerotic coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skin rash, and heart disability were granted. Service connection was established for PTSD with a rating of 30 percent. The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disability was also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no competent evidence of current diagnoses or a link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, claimed as heart disease with atrial fibrillation, depressed left ventricular systolic function, and mitral valve regurgitation, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, is being remanded due to the need for clarification of medical evidence and additional VA examination.