Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2013

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals, and all issues are dismissed.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a heart disability and found that new evidence supports a possible secondary service connection to PTSD, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for both the claim to reopen service connection for CAD and the claim of entitlement to SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating for sarcoidosis with pulmonary involvement, and his claim for service connection was based on direct evidence rather than secondary or other theories.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current heart disability and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability, neurological deficit of the right foot, depression not otherwise specified associated with the service-connected lumbar spine disability, and hypertensive heart disease.

The Veteran's death was caused by coronary artery disease, which is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. As a result, the Board has determined that the cause of death qualifies for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused or contributed to by any service-connected disability, including his lumbar spine disability and related medications.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder (sick sinus syndrome) on both a direct and secondary basis, finding that the condition was not related to service or due to service-connected hypertension or diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his heart condition and bilateral hearing loss disability were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, and below the knee amputation of the right lower extremity. The effective dates are set based on the date of service connection.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on March 31, 2009 were denied as the treatment did not constitute a medical emergency and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new examination to assess his coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being returned to the Board for additional development due to inadequate notice of a VA examination and other procedural issues.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain a new medical opinion regarding whether any of the Veteran's causes of death, including hypertension, heart disease, chronic lung disease, chronic renal dysfunction, and diabetes mellitus, type II, could be attributed directly to his military service. The examiner must reconcile conflicting opinions from Dr. Patel and Dr. Maki with prior VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition. The claims for increased ratings for PTSD and hypertension are remanded due to a need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was not shown to be related to service, and the Board found no evidence of continuity of symptomatology. As a result, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.,The Veteran reported having various disabilities, including foot problems, sinus issues, back pain, head injuries, hand/elbow/arm pain, shoulder problems, psychiatric conditions, and a heart condition. The Board will review these claims in light of all available evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for ulcers and acid reflux, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service combat experience.,Service connection is also granted for a dental disorder (for outpatient treatment purposes), as it is considered part of the same claim.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease with residuals of myocardial infarction with stent placement has been granted, but the effective date is October 18, 2005. The current rating is 30 percent.,A separate issue regarding a total disability rating based on individual unemployability was also addressed and denied.