Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cardiovascular disorder is not related to his active service and thus denied his claim for service connection. For the entire rating period on appeal, audiometric testing has revealed at worst an average puretone threshold of 63 and 92 percent speech recognition in the right ear, and at worst an average puretone threshold of 40 and 96 percent speech recognition in the left ear.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for a right knee disability, entitlement to service connection for a right foot disability, and entitlement to service connection for a pulmonary heart condition. As such, the Board does not have jurisdiction to review these matters.

The Veteran's heart condition is found to have been aggravated by a delay in treatment and negligence at the VA Medical Center, resulting in additional disability. The Board grants compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for this aggravation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease and hypertension were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, and are not otherwise related to service. Therefore, service connection for these disabilities is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have aggravated his ischemic heart disease, resulting in a grant of service connection for the latter condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the appellant and a need for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for treatment at CVPH from February 17, 2010 to March 1, 2010 were denied as the treatment was no longer deemed necessary due to stabilization.

The Veteran does not have a current right ankle, foot, or knee disability. She has been diagnosed with GERD and irritable bowel syndrome which had their onset in service.,Service connection is granted for GERD and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to clarify the validity of stress test results and their impact on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for CAD, diabetes mellitus, and hypothyroidism as they were not incurred during active duty or due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's death was caused by complications from his stomach cancer, which manifested many years after service and is not attributable to service or herbicide exposure. His service-connected conditions did not materially contribute to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected coronary artery disease and residuals of left cerebrovascular accident.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart condition, including myocardial ischemia and coronary artery disease, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The opinion from a VA physician concluded that these conditions are less likely than not related to his history of rheumatic fever and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and medical records review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart disease, left knee disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of the hands due to issues not being resolved.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disease was rated at 30 percent since July 29, 2009. The rating is now increased to 60 percent effective August 25, 2010.

The Veteran is unable to find or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, with the exception of October 12, 2010 when he received a 100% rating. The issue is now moot after that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected hypertension caused his current heart disabilities, including left ventricular dysfunction, left ventricular hypertrophy, and trace pulmonary and tricuspid regurgitation. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disability does not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The gout of the fingers and toes claim is pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since January 31, 2012. Prior to that date, his disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following such employment.