Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease was rated as permanent and total effective March 24, 2011. The appellant reached her 26th birthday before this effective date, making her ineligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing and issuance of a statement of the case on his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. His claims of increased PTSD rating, service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, and service connection for coronary artery disease secondary to PTSD are still pending.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding all service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, including ischemic heart disease, was denied as there is no current evidence of such a condition.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was manifested by left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 30 to 50 percent from November 2, 2004, to June 5, 2013. This met the criteria for a 60% rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to clarify the nature and etiology of his heart conditions, including whether they are related to service or congenital defects.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and an increased evaluation for tinnitus were denied. The claim for a compensable evaluation for hearing loss is not ready for appellate disposition due to incomplete records.

The appellant is not eligible for retroactive compensation benefits under Nehmer v. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as he does not meet the eligibility criteria for a Nehmer class member.

The Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease were not found to meet the criteria for higher ratings during the period from August 1, 2009, to January 17, 2012.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy was received on July 26, 2010. Service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities has been granted with an effective date of July 26, 2010.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for cardiovascular disease other than ischemic heart disease was also received on July 26, 2010. Service connection for this condition has not yet been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for residuals of an insect bite, residuals of a tapeworm infection, and low back disability.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease has been rated at 30 percent since June 15, 2010. The Board finds that the disability level and symptomatology is adequately described by the rating criteria set forth in DC 7005.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, as the current evidence does not provide sufficient information on this issue.

The Veteran does not suffer from an additional disability resulting from VA treatment for coronary artery disease. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Jennie Edmundson Hospital and Methodist Hospital from December 9, 2007, to December 14, 2007, and at Jennie Edmundson Hospital from December 28, 2007, to December 29, 2007, are granted as the medical emergency was life-threatening and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the issues on appeal, including obtaining a VA opinion regarding the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and addressing whether his heart and lung conditions are related to participation in the ACCORD trial or VA care.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is being remanded for further evaluation and additional medical records to determine if a higher rating is warranted.