Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, migraine headaches, coronary artery disease, GERD, and an acquired psychiatric disability due to a lack of proper notice and development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable rating for various conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating were dismissed. A 10 percent rating was granted for hypertension.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a heart condition, claimed as ischemic heart disease (IHD), to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents, is denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran has had IHD at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim and that his second-degree atrioventricular block with atrial fibrillation was not shown in service, soon after service, and is not otherwise etiologically related to in-service disease or injury.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and gastrointestinal disability to include irritable bowel syndrome and residuals of a resection of the colon are both granted.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims can be fully adjudicated. Specifically, VA must obtain medical records from Astoria Health and Rehab Center, Moffit Cancer Center, Dr. P. Hotvedt, Bond Clinic, and Winter Haven Hospital. Additionally, the Appellant should be asked to provide lay statements from individuals who have firsthand knowledge of her husband's conditions.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Martin Memorial Medical Center from June 15 to June 18, 2011 are granted with the exception of any copayment or deductible owed by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus granting his claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease contributed to his cause of death, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the claim. The evidence shows that the Veteran’s coronary artery disease may have aided or lent assistance to the production of his pulmonary fibrosis.

The Veteran's service connection claim for ischemic heart disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The claims for eczema and hypoxemia are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of heart disability, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The claim for service connection of sleep apnea is remanded. The rating for non-displaced fracture of the right eye (Coat's disease) is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death and burial benefits based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to his exposure to Agent Orange during service, as well as additional heart disability resulting from VA treatment in November 2010.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, back disability, hypertension, and heart disability.,There was no evidence of a new or material condition that would warrant reopening the claims.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the lack of recent VA treatment records and an updated application for part-time work.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent disabling, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss has been denied because there is no evidence of current hearing loss in this ear.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claims for a heart disability and diabetes mellitus was granted. The Board found new and material evidence related to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, which is presumed for Gulf War veterans.

The Veteran's unauthorized private dental treatment for broken and cracked teeth was denied reimbursement due to lack of pre-authorization, emergency nature of the treatment, and the availability of VA facilities.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and clarification, including service connection claims for heart disability, left shoulder disability, left upper radiculopathy (CTS), neck disability, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The Veteran's representative also requested additional examination regarding his GERD.