Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2014

The Veteran seeks service connection for erectile dysfunction, which he claims is related to his service-connected Diabetes Mellitus Type II and Coronary Artery Disease. The Board has determined that additional development is needed before a decision can be made.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected disability, as well as additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran died from lung cancer, post-obstructive pneumonia, subclavian thrombus, and coronary artery disease. The cause of death is not service-connected as the conditions were not related to his active service or any presumptive exposure.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease status post myocardial infarction with stent placement should be October 22, 2008. The Veteran's claim was received on this date and no earlier effective date is warranted as it does not meet the criteria set forth in VA regulations.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital for emergency treatment of his service-connected arteriosclerotic heart disease from December 28, 2009 to December 29, 2009 are granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including providing proper VCAA notice regarding both the service connection claim and the VA burial benefits claim.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional VA treatment records and to provide the Veteran with an opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected testicular cancer and his cardiovascular disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including verification of his periods of Active Duty Training (ADT) and Inactive Duty Training (IDT), confirmation of the date of his heart attack, and a medical opinion regarding whether his coronary artery disease began during ADT service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues currently on appeal, including the reopening of service connection for hypertension and various disability evaluations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and coronary artery disease. The remaining issues have been denied.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, but the appellant is seeking DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 due to his service-connected PTSD and other conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), diabetes mellitus, type 2, heart disease, and depression, were not incurred or aggravated during service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability and a headache disorder have been withdrawn. The remaining issues of service connection are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to Agent Orange and the nature of his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his VA treatment records from the Johnson and Pittsburg VA Medical Centers. The issues of service connection for various conditions are under review.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted with an effective date of April 24, 1991. The appeal regarding the effective date for service connection of arteriosclerotic heart disease associated with herbicide exposure is remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a heart disability and granted it, finding that new and material evidence was received. The Veteran's heart disabilities are presumed to be due to exposure to ionizing radiation during his service in Japan.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service. The claimant is also awarded a 40% rating for his adenocarcinoma residuals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was not related to his service or any service-connected disabilities, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension, service-connected disabilities (diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease), and whether it was caused or aggravated by these conditions.