Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of brainstem stroke is granted, and his claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection.

The Board found no evidence of carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA in furnishing the medical treatment on November 8, 2010. The Veteran's current conditions are not deemed to be due to this event.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II were denied by the Board.,Coronary artery disease is currently rated at 30 percent, while diabetes mellitus, type II, is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran seeks compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for complications from medications prescribed by VA, including a stroke in 2009 and subsequent conditions such as left hemiparesis, muscle and nerve problems, mood swings, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records and conduct examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, including coronary artery disease, as due to herbicide exposure was denied because there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during his service on the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing and arranging for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his lung disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim of a bilateral foot disability was reopened, but the service connection claim remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and heart murmur, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Board also found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen previously denied claims for right knee disability and pes planus.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records, outstanding VA treatment records and SSA records, and a need for clarification on the nature of any current lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a respiratory disorder, related to in-service asbestos exposure, is granted. The heart disorder claim is also granted as secondary to the respiratory disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, myelodysplasia, and type II diabetes mellitus due to lack of evidence of exposure to herbicides during service. The appellant is therefore not entitled to accrued benefits for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his active duty in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for a special home adaptation grant is denied as he does not meet the criteria based on his service-connected coronary artery disease and other nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease was initially granted with a 10 percent rating effective July 3, 2007. The current claim for an increased rating is denied as the evidence does not show that his condition warranted a higher rating prior to August 20, 2007 and from August 20, 2007 onwards.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examiner's opinion on whether COPD was caused or aggravated by Agent Orange exposure or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have ischemic heart disease due to service or exposure to herbicides, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The VA is requested to provide opinions regarding whether the Veteran's ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II contributed substantially or materially to cause his death. The opinions should be based on a thorough review of the evidence, including medical records and glucose readings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for an automobile or adaptive equipment due to his service-connected disabilities, as there is no evidence of loss of use of a foot or knee/hip.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to clarify whether the Veteran's need for aid and attendance or housebound status is due to his service-connected disabilities alone, as he asserts.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his exposure to Agent Orange and the nature, extent, severity, and manifestations of his service-connected conditions.