Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2013

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Medical Center of Manchester on July 5, 2009 are granted as the emergency treatment was necessary due to an urgent and life-threatening condition that could not be addressed promptly by VA facilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's cardiomyopathy is related to his service in Vietnam, including exposure to herbicides.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart and lung conditions were not incurred or aggravated during active service, and thus denied his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected arteriosclerotic heart disease and carotid artery stenosis and hypoplastic left vertebral artery were reduced from a 60 percent rating to a 30 percent rating. The Board has determined that the reduction was not warranted.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for verification of his National Guard service and additional records from Fort Polk, Louisiana.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure in the DMZ and verification of his presence there.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic neuropathy, atherosclerotic aorta by X-ray, erectile dysfunction, and kidney/liver disorders have been denied. The appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including scheduling an examination to assess his recurrent pharyngitis and obtaining medical records from various providers. The claims of service connection for chest pain and heart condition are also being remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not caused or aggravated by his active duty service or by a service-connected PTSD.,There is no current disability shown as coronary artery disease, and thus it cannot be service connected.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current heart disorder and finds the Veteran's statements insufficient to establish such a condition. As a result, service connection for a heart disorder is denied.

The Veteran's heart disability, characterized as coronary artery disease with left ventrify hypertrophy, status post myocardial infarction and stent placement, was rated at 30 percent effective February 9, 2010. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has ordered the claims remanded for additional development, including obtaining records from Dr. P.R.D., VA treatment records, and verifying the Veteran's Reserve service.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and assigned a 20% evaluation effective May 29, 2009. The Veteran requested an earlier effective date but was denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The lung disorder and neurologic disorders in both upper extremities are not related to Agent Orange exposure, but the Board affords the Veteran the benefit of doubt for his ischemic heart disease.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder, including arrhythmia, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and Class III heart failure, finding that the Veteran's chronic heart disabilities were not manifested during active service or for many years thereafter. No medical professional has advanced a relationship between the Veteran's chronic heart disabilities and active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a request for a video-conference hearing, and will schedule one at the local RO.

The VA examiner found that the Veteran's heart disorder did not have its onset in service and is not related to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, accrued benefits, and non-service connected death pension benefits due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions or benefits to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disorder and vertigo were not incurred in or related to his period of active service.