Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PVD in the left lower extremity is related to service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease remains pending as it was not addressed by the July 2015 decision.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease is rated at 100 percent effective June 20, 2013.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection of the cause of the Veteran's death, but denied the claim due to lack of entitlement under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, coronary artery disease (CAD) status post stent placement, and diabetes mellitus type II, are sufficiently incapacitating to result in unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected inactive pulmonary tuberculosis is found to be the primary cause of his current chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular conditions (including coronary artery disease and hypertension), sleep apnea, right lower extremity femur fracture, left lower extremity femur fracture, anxiety disorder NOS, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and back condition involving degenerative joint disease.,The Veteran's service-connected inactive pulmonary tuberculosis is found to be the primary cause of his current cardiovascular conditions (including coronary artery disease and hypertension), sleep apnea, right lower extremity femur fracture, left lower extremity femur fracture, anxiety disorder NOS, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and back condition involving degenerative joint disease.,The Veteran's service-connected inactive pulmonary tuberculosis is found to be the primary cause of his current sleep apnea, right lower extremity femur fracture, left lower extremity femur fracture, anxiety disorder NOS, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and back condition involving degenerative joint disease.,The Veteran's service-connected inactive pulmonary tuberculosis is found to be the primary cause of his current right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy.,The Veteran's service-connected inactive pulmonary tuberculosis is found to be the primary cause of his current anxiety disorder NOS, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and back condition involving degenerative joint disease.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of some issues related to his prostate condition and sleep apnea. The decision also includes a determination that he is eligible for special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board video-conference hearing due to his request. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU are still under consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a determination made by VBA regarding the territorial status of Da Nang Harbor. The Veteran's claims for service connection remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after rescheduling the hearing.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's medical records, including from his VA treatment facilities and National Guard/Army Reserve service. The appeal is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions, including hypertension, psychiatric disorders, lung issues, head trauma, sleep apnea, headaches, and several other conditions. The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's death was caused in part by his heart disease, which is a condition that became presumptive under the Veterans' Benefits Act. The effective date for DIC benefits is set at August 29, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cardiovascular disability and atherosclerosis are service-connected based on direct evidence, not due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of increased ratings for post-traumatic stress disorder, left ear hearing loss, and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's current erectile dysfunction is caused by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, and the Board finds that there is reasonable doubt in favor of the claim. Therefore, service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of a higher initial rating for coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his coronary artery disease was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show symptoms more closely approximating those required for a higher disability rating.,For TDIU, the Veteran was also denied as there is no indication in the record that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected rheumatic heart disease with residuals of rheumatic valvulitis and mitral incompetency contributed to his death, specifically in relation to blastomycosis that he developed during active duty. The opinion must address whether the blastomycosis had its onset in or was otherwise related to his military service.