Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining treatment records from Waco Cardiology and determining whether his May 2003 lung problems occurred during a period of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The appellant seeks special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance or due to housebound status. The Board has ordered additional development, including obtaining medical records from private facilities where she received treatment.

The Veteran died of myocardial infarction due to coronary artery disease, with diabetes mellitus and Crohn's disease contributing to death. The Board finds that none of these conditions were service-connected at the time of his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's aortic stenosis is etiologically related to his service-connected hypertension, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for a more adequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's knee disabilities and/or Vioxx use contributed to his death, which was not addressed in the previous VA opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatic heart disease, status post aortic and mitral valve replacement with chronic atrial fibrillation, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition was aggravated by his active duty for training.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current coronary artery disease is not related to his service-connected bilateral corneal scars and Salzmann's nodular degeneration, as well as other medications he takes for these conditions. The Board found no direct evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's preexisting coronary artery disease was aggravated during his second period of active service, and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic ischemic heart disease secondary to his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current heart disability and his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder and granted it, finding that his preexisting condition was aggravated by military service. The appeal concerning type II diabetes mellitus and heart conditions is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew those issues from appeal.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain a VA examination and determine if the Veteran's pectus excavatum, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, or seizure disorder are related to his period of military service.

The Veteran's gastritis is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board has granted this rating and denied his request for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for coronary artery disease is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of a head injury with equilibrium problems related to active military service. The claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer (status post prostatectomy), and hypertension are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's initial rating for his CAD, status post stent placement was granted at 10 percent effective March 1, 2008. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to September 19, 2008 and since then, he has been rated at 60 percent.

The Veteran's condition meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance due to his disabilities, including leg pain, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary artery disease, right hip strain with chronic pain and limitation of motion (LOM), status post operative repair, tear medial meniscus and osteochondritis dissecans right knee with chronic pain, degenerative arthritis with LOM in flexion and extension with incomplete extension, status post operative total knee replacement left knee with chronic pain, diffuse degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with partial lumbarization of S1 with chronic pain, and varying LOM. The Veteran is legally blind and requires assistance for daily activities such as cooking.

The Board found no evidence of a service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension, concluding that the Veteran's current heart condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's cardiorespiratory failure, due to hypertension, seizure, anticoagulation, and heart disease, was not shown to have manifested during service or for many years thereafter, and were not otherwise shown to be related to service.