Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disorder, including coronary artery disease and costochondritis, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and coronary artery disease do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for SMC purposes.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional medical records and a VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities with bilateral Charcot deformities and degenerative joint disease of the ankles and feet result in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, allowing him to be granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, heart disease, and kidney failure were not incurred or aggravated by active military service. The claims for secondary service connection to his service-connected urethral stricture with contracture of bladder neck and cystitis were denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current heart disease/disorder. The issue of an initial compensable disability evaluation for hypertension is also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart disability, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral shin disability due to lack of evidence showing a current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease and stroke were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a heart condition, which he claims was first manifested during active duty in 1989. The Board finds that further development is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed heart disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for referral to VA's Director of Compensation and Pension (C&P) for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU rating due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder disability, peripheral neuropathy, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, right hand Dupuytren's contracture, and coronary artery disease (CAD) are not service-connected as they were not shown during active duty or within one year of discharge. The evidence does not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran does not have a current heart murmur or an irregular heartbeat, and there is no evidence of coronary artery disease during service. The Veteran's hypertension was diagnosed after retirement from active duty.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of left tibial tubercle fracture with osteoarthritic changes and chronic chondromalacia of the knee; entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for recurrent subluxation of the left knee; and entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral eye disorder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, gout, hypertension, hypertensive heart disease and osteomyelitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed psychiatric disorder, cholesteatoma left mastoid, skin condition (chloracne), headaches, heart condition, sinus condition, right hand condition, or left foot condition that manifested during or was caused by his military service. The claim for the residuals of a right foot fracture has also been denied.

The Board found no current diagnosis of hypertension or a heart disability, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD and CAD have been granted initial ratings, with PTSD receiving a 70% rating. The TDIU claim has also been granted.