Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied service connection claims for various conditions was received on June 22, 2014. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at the date of receipt of the claim, which is June 17, 2014.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions, and the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 were not met.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for a right knee disability, residuals of heat exhaustion, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, heart disability, rashes on upper arms and lower legs, residuals of insect bites, and residuals of a head injury. The reasons include incomplete medical records and the need for further examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) was granted at a 60% level, but not greater. The appeal is remanded for further evaluation of cervical spine and low back disabilities, COPD, sleep apnea, and hypertension.,An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hypertension is also being remanded due to new evidence.

This appeal is dismissed for the issue of ischemic heart disease. The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS with PTSD symptoms has been granted an initial 70 percent rating from May 31, 2005 to January 2, 2013 and a TDIU has been granted.,An initial rating in excess of 70 percent for the Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS with PTSD symptoms is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and other conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of August 10, 2009. The Board granted an effective date of August 10, 2009 for the grant of Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a respiratory condition, heart condition, and hepatitis C due to incomplete medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to uncertainty regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service and the relationship between in-service medical conditions and his later death.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Northern Colorado Medical Center on November 16, 2011 and December 13, 2011 were denied as there was no prior authorization from VA for the treatment. The Board found that the treatments did not meet the criteria for emergency treatment under 38 U.S.C. § 1725.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inextricably intertwined issues and incomplete records. The claims will be addressed again after additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for a heart disorder and cause of death. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obesity, caused by his service-connected disabilities (PTSD), was a substantial factor in causing his heart disorder(s) and diabetes.

The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for coronary artery disease have been granted, but the claim for a compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss is remanded. The service connection claim for residuals of head injury is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder, valvular heart disease, tinnitus, and glaucoma, make it at least as likely as not that he cannot secure or maintain employment due to his conditions. As a result, the Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's heart disorder, including coronary artery disease and a history of myocardial infarction with stents, is considered to be caused or permanently aggravated by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection and increased ratings, as well as his claim to reopen a previously denied service connection claim. The issues include heart disorder, prostate disorder, multiple sclerosis, right shoulder disability, cerebral concussion with headaches, convulsions, and dizzy spells, and pulmonary embolism.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is denied as there is no evidence linking the cause of death to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's initial disability rating of 60 percent for service-connected coronary artery disease is granted from January 31, 1984 to August 25, 2004. An effective date prior to January 31, 1984 for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension, finding no evidence of a nexus to military service or presumptive exposure. The Veteran's pain disorder, depression, and adjustment disorder are remanded for further development.,Service connection is also denied for the Veteran's claimed conditions: pain disorder, depression, and adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features moderately severe.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether his medical emergency continued beyond October 2, 2013 and if he could have been transferred to a VA facility prior to surgery on October 4, 2013.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease, status post stents placement and triple coronary bypass, is rated at 100 percent since May 27, 2010. The Veteran also has a 70 percent rating for PTSD with alcohol abuse in remission. Therefore, the Veteran is granted an initial 100 percent rating for arteriosclerotic heart disease and SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) since May 27, 2010.