Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2014

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea due to new and material evidence. The Veteran's current diagnosis of sleep apnea is found to have its onset during active service, and he was treated for symptoms of snoring and cessation of breathing while in service. Service connection is granted for sleep apnea. The Board also finds that the Veteran has a left knee scar status post cyst removal and facial scars as a result of acne vulgaris which had its onset during active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, coronary artery disease, and right foot Charcot arthropathy were denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative events. The Board found that the current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated treatment records and personnel records. The VA audiological opinion will be obtained based on noise exposure as a driver in a Motor Transportation unit.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain his complete service personnel records, including travel details. The issues of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease are pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for abdominal aortic aneurysm was denied as less than likely related to his service or any incident thereof. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted due to the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examination. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, gonococcic urethritis, and an increased rating for ischemic heart disease are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, status post heart attack is still pending.

The Board finds that the appellant did not have active military, naval, or air service for VA purposes and thus is not considered a veteran. As such, service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and hypothyroidism cannot be granted.

The appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing further opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claims and TDIU claim. The case will be returned to the Board once all necessary steps have been taken.

The Board denied service connection for a heart condition, finding no evidence of such condition during or after service. The Veteran's tinnitus was also not found to be related to his military service.,Service connection is denied as the medical evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's current conditions and his active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the VA examiner and requesting additional medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disability, to include bronchitis, was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for various conditions, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and testicular cancer. The appeals were based on presumed exposure to herbicides in service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Ocala Regional Medical Center on September 9, 2009, September 11, 2009, and September 15, 2009 are denied as they were not for emergency treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease should be remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide an addendum opinion from the May 2011 VA examiner.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and orthopedic conditions, are found to be in equipoise with his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. Therefore, the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities have been met.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease with hypertension prior to August 26, 2006 and granted a 60 percent rating beginning on August 26, 2006.

The Veteran's total combined rating for service-connected disabilities is 90 percent, rendering him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and a hiatal hernia, both secondary to his service-connected duodenal ulcer. The evidence did not support the presence of these conditions or their relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of revised VA regulations.