Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation on account of needing aid and attendance is being remanded due to its inextricability with the referred issues regarding service connection for diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and stroke. The referred issues will be adjudicated first.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and erectile dysfunction were granted effective from October 1, 2010. The erectile dysfunction claim was secondary to the service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's claimed conditions are related to his service, including exposure to herbicides. The issues of entitlement to service connection have been raised.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, including as due to exposure to Agent Orange, is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and requests for additional development. The effective date of service connection for coronary artery disease is also being addressed.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Orange Park Medical Center from July 26 - August 1, 2012 were approved as the services rendered were for a disability of a veteran who has a total disability permanent in nature resulting from a service-connected disability (PTSD).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable due to his coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and other conditions. The Board finds that a TDIU is warranted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's heart disability claim, including obtaining his private treatment records and providing him with a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed heart disabilities. The issue will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the submission of new evidence and to ensure compliance with all due process requirements.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from the October 2014 VA examiner regarding the Veteran's heart disorder.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and valvular heart disease. The claim for service connection for valvular heart disease is granted as it was decided on the merits.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to identify all current disability underlying the Veteran's heart disease and determine if it is at least as likely as not related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is currently rated at 30 percent for the period from September 11, 2012. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran was awarded service connection for coronary artery disease and a reduction in his disability rating to 30%. The claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition met the criteria for a higher rating. Service connection was also granted for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with an initial rating of 10%.,The Veteran received service connection for coronary artery disease and had his disability rating reduced from 60% to 30%. The claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition met the criteria for a higher rating. Service connection was also granted for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with an initial rating of 10%.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease with hypertensive heart disease, hypertension, and migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent for the former issue and 10 percent for the latter two issues. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met or nearly approximated in all cases.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection of a heart condition, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for ischemic heart disease (IHD), and a total rating based upon individual unemployability prior to April 1, 2012. The IHD claim was granted with an effective date of April 1, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being referred to the Director of Compensation Service due to the need for additional development and consideration.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional service personnel records and determine if new evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease.