Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a review of the file since the January 2011 supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, are found to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The case is REMANDED for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's heart disability, specifically coronary artery disease (CAD), was initially rated at 10 percent prior to August 3, 2009. Since then, the rating has been increased to 30 percent effective from the date of the VA compensation examination on August 3, 2009.

The Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease are granted service connection on a direct basis.,Both issues were remanded due to the failure of the RO to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC) for the claims of entitlement to service connection for a sleep disorder and right shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to decide the claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum from the VA examiner who conducted the October 2008 examination, in order to address whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected hypertensive heart disease.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to constrictive pericarditis, which was found to be related to his untreated tuberculosis during service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's service-connection claim for atherosclerotic heart disease and coronary artery disease, which are presumed to have been incurred in active service due to herbicide exposure during his Vietnam-era service.

The Veteran died from causes not related to his service-connected hemorrhoids. His bladder cancer and coronary artery disease were not shown to be caused by or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals for carpal tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities and renal disorder. The remaining claims have already been fully granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus contributed to his development of pancreatic cancer, which resulted in his death. As a result, the claim for cause of death is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disability involving hearing loss or other conditions in service or for years following service discharge. The hiatal hernia preexisted service and was aggravated by an inservice injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of any in-service stressor that would support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to reassess his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran meets the threshold criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, with multiple conditions bringing his combined rating to 90 percent. The evidence shows that he is unable to work based solely on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from February 23 to February 27, 2009 are granted as he was not medically stable enough to be transferred to a VA facility. Expenses from February 28 to March 5, 2009 are denied as the Veteran was stable and could have been transferred.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain medical records. The issues are whether he should receive higher disability ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's heart disability to his military service or secondary to his service-connected adenocarcinoma of the right kidney. The claim was denied.

The Veteran's death prevented him from applying for Service Disabled Veterans Insurance (RH) benefits due to his service-connected ischemic heart disease. The claim is being remanded for further development, including a review of the Veteran's competence and obtaining VA treatment records.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in service, and he has a heart disability other than coronary artery disease. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is granted.