Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service included work duties around the perimeter of Thai air bases and occasional refueling in Vietnam. His diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to her request for a hearing, and she did not file any new documents or notices of disagreement after the withdrawal. As such, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing and consolidating evidence into claims files.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.,However, his vision disability is found to be secondary to his service-connected cerebrovascular accident.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to determine the etiology of his hypertension and hypertensive heart disease, as well as whether he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable due to his nonservice-connected sleep apnea and fatigue.

The Veteran's heart condition/murmur is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the condition is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss have been denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of the conditions, and there is insufficient medical evidence to establish a nexus between any current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's heart disability, specifically coronary artery disease with angina and hypertension, is currently rated at 30 percent. The hypertension has been separately rated as non-compensable prior to May 2, 2012, but a separate 10 percent rating is granted from that date.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only is denied as he does not meet the criteria for certification due to lack of service-connected disabilities resulting in loss of use of feet, hands, or ankylosis of knees or hips.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and determine the etiology of his sleep apnea. The claims for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and coronary artery disease are inextricably intertwined with the claim for service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected chronic dorsolumbar strain was denied, but he is now receiving a TDIU effective April 17, 2003. The case has been remanded to determine the appropriate effective date for the TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant, through his authorized representative, requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew it prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a heart disability and a lumbar spine disability have been reopened. Further development is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of these disabilities, as well as their current severity.

The Veteran was granted service connection for coronary artery obstructive disease on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicides during service in the Republic of Vietnam. The effective date is set at September 23, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and inextricably intertwined TDIU claim.