Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus with complications has been granted a rating of 20 percent, and the Board finds that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Ochsner Medical Center from January 18-19, 2007 were reimbursed as the treatment was deemed necessary due to an emergent condition that posed a risk to his health and life.

The Veteran was married to his second former spouse, T., from April 12, 2003 to September 22, 2006. The Board finds that the Veteran should be entitled to increased dependency compensation benefits based on marriage for this period due to extenuating circumstances.

The Veteran's cognitive disorder is service connected, and it is secondary to his stroke. The Board has granted service connection for a sleep disorder on de novo review as the evidence shows that it is related to his now service-connected cognitive disorder.

The cause of the Veteran's death was not related to his service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected hearing loss. The claims for earlier effective dates for service connection were denied as there is no evidence showing that VA received a claim from the Veteran prior to January 26, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board and RO have previously denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding no evidence linking his heart problems to his Philippine military service. The claim remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development and adjudication, including a VA examination to assess his employability given his service-connected disabilities (including heart disability), and any other disability he may seek to have service-connected. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered after resolving the new claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 1, 2000.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service, nor did any such disease or injury contribute substantially or materially to his death.