Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of erectile dysfunction, hip strain, or ischemic heart disease. The claim for weight gain is denied as obesity is not considered a disability for which service connection may be granted.

The Veteran's CAD was rated at 30 percent prior to November 29, 2012. It increased to 60 percent as of that date. The Veteran's PTSD remained at a 70 percent rating since December 28, 2011. Effective from December 12, 2012, the Veteran was granted TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease with a history of stent placement is currently rated at 10 percent and the appeal for an increased rating has been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart condition as secondary to service-connected disability, but denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn by the Veteran before a decision could be made.

The Veteran died from blunt force injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. The cause of death is not service-connected as his diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease did not contribute to the accident.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from June 19, 2011 to June 21, 2011 at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital were reimbursed as the emergency treatment was deemed necessary due to his severe symptoms and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was increased to a 20 percent rating effective October 13, 2011. The other issues remain on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis was denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosis or treatment in service, and the current condition is not related to service.,The Veteran's claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for disability compensation due to medical treatment from July 2006 to March 2007 was denied as there is no evidence that the additional disability was caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or similar fault.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease has been rated at 60 percent since March 25, 2014. The appeal is granted for this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including type II diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, neuropathy, chronic kidney disease, and prostate cancer, are not related to his military service or any exposure to DDT therein. As a result, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities (coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction) result in a combined 80% rating and preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's death was caused by cardio-respiratory arrest due to COPD, tobacco disorder, and coronary artery disease. The VA medical opinions concluded that none of the service-connected disabilities or any other condition contributed substantially or materially to his cause of death.

The Veteran's diabetes, renal failure, diabetic retinopathy, and related complications are service connected. His bipolar disorder is also service connected as secondary to his diabetes. Service connection for prostate cancer cannot be established due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to have been incurred as a result of herbicide exposure during active service. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is currently evaluated at a 30 percent rating. The Board finds that an evaluation in excess of 30 percent is not warranted as the evidence does not show symptoms warranting such a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to process matters and the need for additional review of VA records. The case will be reviewed again by the RO, and any new evidence will be considered.

The Board has determined that the unauthorized non-VA medical expenses incurred by the Veteran on September 9, 2011 and September 26, 2011 are covered under VA's regulations for reimbursement of emergency treatment. The nosebleeds were associated with his service-connected heart disability.