Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not incur a respiratory disability, heart disease, or arthritis in service and therefore denied these claims. The claim for hypertension was granted as it is more likely than not related to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA/privately obtained medical records. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if he has current heart disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, or low back disorder, as well as whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for further examination and determination due to the potential establishment of a new presumption of service connection based on exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have contributed substantially or materially to his cause of death from a cerebrovascular accident, which was caused by chronic coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's heart condition, including cardiac conduction system disease with a bifascicular block, was incurred during his military service and the Board grants service connection for this disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if atrial fibrillation is related to service or service-connected PTSD and coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal to the RO for additional action, including determining if service connection was established for bronchial asthma in a 1969 rating decision and effectuating that award. The Veteran is seeking service connection for chronic asthma, heart disorder, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded for further development, including obtaining clarification from the Veteran regarding his employment history and scheduling him for a VA examination.

The Veteran seeks service connection for coronary artery disease, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The VA examination report is not adequate for the purpose of deciding this claim and additional development is required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, cervical spine disorder, heart condition, digestive disorder, thyroid disorder (secondary to herbicide exposure), and erectile dysfunction is granted. Service connection for PTSD has an effective date of July 7, 2004. The right knee disability remains rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease was previously denied in 1971 and has not been reopened.,Hypertension is not considered to be caused or aggravated by the Veteran's diabetes.

The Veteran's death was caused by septic shock due to renal stone disease, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease. The Board found that these conditions were not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, a skin disorder, and residuals of an eye injury have been granted. The Veteran also has a current diagnosis of coronary artery disease presumed due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including headaches and hypertension, all claimed as secondary to in-service exposure to toxic chemicals. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals during a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for hospitalization and treatment at Manatee Memorial Hospital were reimbursed as the services were rendered in a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to health, and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Veteran's appeal involves two issues: a request for an increased evaluation for coronary artery disease status-post stent placement, and the propriety of reducing his PTSD disability rating from 100 to 70 percent. The Board has determined that both issues are in need of further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum to the August 2010 VA examination and addressing the opinions of previous examiners.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision found that there was no evidence of a heart attack or other cardiac injury during the period of inactive duty training from March 15-17, 2002, and concluded that the Veteran did not have coronary artery disease incurred in service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability with tingling sensation of the left hand, a heart disorder, and a neck disorder. The decision remains undecided on other issues.