Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered after addressing the pending increased ratings claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder and costochondritis has been reopened, but further evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for coronary artery disease with arteriosclerosis was denied prior to October 19, 2010. From October 19, 2010, the Veteran is granted a 60 percent rating.

The Veteran's cause of death was not caused or contributed to by a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence linking the fatal conditions to service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression is rated at 70 percent, effective from June 21, 2007. The Veteran also fulfills the schedular rating requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration.

The Board found no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides, ionizing radiation, or other chemicals. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease were not shown to be related to his service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions and the need for further medical opinions.

The Board has ordered a remand to clarify the opinion regarding whether hypertension was aggravated by coronary artery disease and/or diabetes mellitus, including considering the role of the pacemaker.

The Board determined that the Veteran's heart disorder (coronary artery disease) was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to ensure full compliance with the duty to assist, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. A heart disability examination is also required.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease. The decision is based on a finding that there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that cellulitis, stroke with left hemiparesis and multi infarct dementia, congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and hypothyroidism were not present in service or related to service. The Board also found that the Veteran's service-connected stomach disorder (chronic enteritis) did not contribute to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding the reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred from February 29, 2008 to March 1, 2008. The case will be readjudicated after completion of the necessary steps.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claim of service connection for a heart disability. The case will be remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from the examiner who conducted the June 2011 VA examination and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine nature and severity of his heart disability, if any.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and residuals of multiple cerebrovascular accidents are being remanded due to the need for additional evidentiary development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including service connection for variously diagnosed psychiatric disorders, cervical spine arthritis, hypertension, heart disorder, and left leg arthritis, as well as a compensable rating for residuals of a left tibia injury.

The Veteran is not entitled to an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease, and his claim for a higher initial rating prior to January 19, 2011 is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are not related to his military service.