Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2013

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his physical disabilities, including blindness in one eye, significant vision impairment, bilateral hearing loss, and multiple disabling conditions. As a result, special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease was granted in March 2011 with an effective date of August 31, 2010. The Board found that the earlier diagnosis did not affect the effective date as the claim was received within a year of the regulatory change.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the addition of substantial evidence and his service-connected disabilities meeting the schedular percentage criteria for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease did not manifest within one year of service and is not related to his active service, including a high fever and measles infection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a prostate disorder and a heart disorder manifested by an irregular heartbeat due to lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for a heart disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal seeking service connection for erectile dysfunction is held in abeyance.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's pilonidal cyst is rated at 10 percent disabling from April 2004.

The Board denied higher ratings for coronary artery disease, finding that the Veteran's condition did not meet criteria for a disability rating higher than 10 percent prior to March 25, 2008, and did not meet criteria for a disability rating higher than 30 percent from March 25, 2008, forward.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address issues of service connection and severance of service connection. The Veteran's claims are currently pending.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a cardiac condition. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination, is necessary to decide his claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, as he did not have any such condition at the time of his death. The conditions listed on his death certificate were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's hypertensive arteriosclerotic heart disease with evidence of coronary artery disease is rated at 60% for the period from May 28, 2003 to July 22, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical records related to the appellant's heart surgery and treatment from various healthcare providers.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, including hypertension (HTN), kidney condition, liver disease, depressive disorder, and erectile dysfunction are denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during active duty or within one year thereafter, and they have not been linked to his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the appellant did not meet the eligibility requirements for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including macules on the tongue, chronic bronchitis, asthma, chronic sinusitis, a heart disability, hypertension, carpal tunnel syndromes, bilateral pes planus, and psychiatric disabilities. The decision found no current disabilities or evidence of in-service incurrence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have left ear hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, a new VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed heart condition, respiratory disorder, and bilateral lower extremity circulatory disorder, as well as an increased rating for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a cardiovascular examination to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current heart disease and her active duty service.

The Veteran's death was caused by coronary artery disease, which is presumed to be due to his exposure to Agent Orange during service. As a result, the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.