Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities reasonably result in his requiring assistance with a number of his activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, and food preparation, and he requires care or assistance on a regular basis to protect himself from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment. The criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance are met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension, which he contends is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities of diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and/or coronary artery disease. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals regarding the increased initial rating for coronary artery disease and an earlier effective date for TDIU.

For the period from May 27, 2009, through May 2, 2011, the Veteran's CAD was manifested by angina, fatigue, METs between 7 and 8, and left ventricular ejection fraction of 60 percent. The evaluation granted a 30% rating for this period.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities has been established, leading to the grant of special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including pseudoseizures and PTSD, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since July 7, 2003. The Board finds that a TDIU rating is warranted from this date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VCAA notice and medical records related to his heart condition and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertensive heart disease, hyperactive bladder, right hip disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, right ankle sprain, and furunculous of the neck and back, are found to prevent him from obtaining or retaining employment. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's service connection claims, including a determination on whether there was clear and unmistakable error in an October 2008 rating decision denying service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for PTSD are also being considered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected ankylosing spondylitis, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to new claims and inextricably intertwined issues, including service connection for anxiety disorder which may affect the outcome of the hypertension and coronary artery disease claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected ASHD aggravated his asthma to the extent that it contributed substantially or materially to his death from COPD.

The Veteran's cause of death, acute myocardial infarction with underlying atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service. As such, the Board finds that service connection for the cause of death is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, through his authorized representative.

The Board denied service connection for pectus excavatum and heart disease, finding no evidence of a superimposed disease or injury during service that created additional disability. Service connection was granted for the Veteran's seizure disorder due to a head injury sustained in service.

The Veteran's death was caused by coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure, both of which began during his period of active service. The Board finds that the Veteran's death is due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeals for hepatitis A, tinea versicolor, right foot arthritis, left ankle injury residuals, and PTSD were withdrawn. The Veteran was granted service connection for hypertension and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation. His initial ratings for PTSD and right shoulder dislocation residuals with degenerative changes have been increased to 70% and 30%, respectively.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and chronic sinus disability are found to be related to service, while his heart disability is not.,Service connection for residuals of scarlet fever is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination and because of the need to obtain additional treatment records. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions.