Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that further development is necessary and the case is being remanded for an appropriate VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's arrhythmia heart failure, claimed as a heart condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service. The heart disability, warts on the legs, skin condition of the arms and legs, hypothyroidism, and cataracts are not currently addressed due to the need for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to a higher initial rating for coronary artery disease and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for seizure disorder. The issue of entitlement to service connection for heart disability, due to exposure to herbicides is remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, which was previously denied in December 2002.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing before the Board. The issue of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) status-post stenting and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) with scar will be addressed at the earliest available opportunity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, are found to be of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Statement of the Case on several issues, including his claims for increased ratings and service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected pulmonary embolism, systemic lupus erythematosus, and nephrotic syndrome have been asymptomatic throughout the pendency of this case.,As a result, no compensable ratings are warranted for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for prostate disorder, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a heart disability, but the current evidence is insufficient to determine if he has ischemic heart disease or any other cardiovascular disability. The Board finds that a new VA examination is needed to clarify these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not prevent him from finding or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on June 17, 2012 are eligible for payment or reimbursement due to an emergent condition. The treatment from June 18 to June 21, 2012 is not eligible for payment as it was a scheduled elective surgery.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right testicle cancer, heart disease, and left arm disorder were not incurred in or related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's death was within the one-year period during which he could have filed a notice of disagreement (NOD) for his claims. However, no NOD was filed and the appellant did not file any documents indicating an intent to appeal or disagree with the September 2011 rating decision prior to her husband's death.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease and his diagnosed nonischemic coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure are not related to his active service. Therefore, he is denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest available rating of 70 percent, effective from May 27, 2009. The claims for service connection for bilateral knee pain and hypertension have been reopened due to new evidence received since the final denial of these claims in November 1979 and December 1999 respectively.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic ear infection is denied as there are no current residuals of barotrauma, to include a diagnosed disorder manifested by chronic ear infections.,Service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) is also denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it was caused or aggravated by PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of skin disability has been reopened. The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD, effective July 25, 2007. Other issues remain pending and are remanded.

The Veteran's cause of death was not caused by a service-connected disability, as his ACDUTRA service did not qualify him for the ALS presumption. The Board denied entitlement to service connection for cause of death.