Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records prior to June 2002 and providing a supplemental opinion regarding the severity of his coronary artery disease. The appellant's request for substitution as claimant will also be considered.

The Board denied accrued benefits to the appellant as she is not considered a child for purposes of accrued benefits and did not pay any last sickness expenses. The appellant was reimbursed for burial costs, making her ineligible for such benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic cough/bronchitis, heart disorder, and hypertension have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. Service connection has been granted with an initial rating of 10%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disorder, including coronary artery disease, was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to any in-service event. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Good Samaritan Hospital from October 12, 2012 to October 14, 2012 are denied as the VA has already granted payment or reimbursement for his initial hospitalization due to emergency treatment. The Veteran was determined to be stable and capable of being transferred to a VA facility by October 12, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, including as due to herbicide exposure, is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart disability other than coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disability, including atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and coronary artery disease, is not related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disability is not related to his service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The most probative evidence does not support a finding of ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's IHD has been rated at 30 percent since May 20, 2015. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to this date and on or after August 9, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, or ischemic heart disease due to service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current heart disability related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The evidence does not support a finding of nexus between any current heart condition and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his combined disability rating is only 70 percent, which does not meet the requirement of at least one disability rated at 40 percent or more with a combined rating of 70 percent or more. The Board finds that the Veteran is not unemployable solely due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not in need of regular aid and attendance, as he can perform most activities of daily living without significant assistance.

The Veteran's PTSD and vascular dementia are rated at 70 percent, hypertension is not compensable, diabetes mellitus is not service connected due to lack of exposure to herbicides, erectile dysfunction is secondary to hypertension, cardiomyopathy with CAD and peripheral neuropathy of the legs do not meet criteria for service connection, and obstructive sleep apnea does not warrant a rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed heart disability and CVA.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records review to properly adjudicate his service connection claims.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease has been rated at 60 percent since March 29, 2016. The Board found that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left hip disorder, right hip disorder, right shoulder disorder, back disorder, heart disorder, and prostate disorder. The decision is based on a finding that there was no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service.