Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA cardiac examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected postgastrectomy syndrome with history of duodenal ulcer disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease and bilateral peripheral vascular disease are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by hypertension, which is a service-connected condition. The conditions were also found to be secondary to nephritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a lung disorder or heart condition other than coronary artery disease that is service-connected. The VA examiners found no evidence linking these conditions to military service, including exposure to Napalm and Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU benefits prior to August 31, 2010 is granted based on the effective date of service connection for coronary artery disease being May 7, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension (SMP) based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's conditions, including a psychiatric disability, heart disability, low back disability, residuals of head injury, and prostate disability, are considered direct service connection cases.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding medical records and authorization forms.

The Veteran's heart disability, to include coronary artery disease (CAD), did not manifest in service or within one year after service separation and is not related to any disease, injury, or event in service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the causes of death (small cell lung cancer or pneumonia) were not directly related to active service. The examiner stated that rheumatic fever does not cause arteriosclerotic heart disease, and therefore, the Veteran's heart disease was not caused by his rheumatic fever infection in the military.

The Veteran seeks compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a heart disability resulting from VA treatment, but the case is being remanded due to missing medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disorder and left eardrum disorder have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions. The claims for service connection for left shoulder, left knee, and right knee disorders are pending due to the need for further clarification from VA medical examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have in-country service or documented exposure to herbicides, and thus could not establish service connection for any of his claimed disabilities on a presumptive basis. The preponderance of evidence was against each claim.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's motion to revise two July 12, 2007 decisions that did not find new and material evidence sufficient to reopen claims for service connection for heart disease and a systolic ejection murmur due to the vacated decision by the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service. The rating of 20% for right knee degenerative joint disease remains in effect.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease did not result in acute or chronic congestive heart failure, dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope. Therefore, the current rating of 10 percent is appropriate.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which is the highest possible rating. The bilateral cataracts are secondary to his service-connected Type II Diabetes Mellitus and granted as a separate condition. His initial ratings for coronary artery disease remain unchanged but with an effective date of August 3, 2011. Service connection was established for PTSD prior to this date. A TDIU claim is pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed heart disorder, bilateral leg disorder, neurological disorder of the left arm and hand, cranial nerve/head disorder, and low back disorder are not shown to be due to a disease or injury in service. The claims for these conditions were therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, to include as due to the service connected PTSD, diabetes mellitus and/or coronary artery disease is being remanded for additional development.