Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Thailand and whether this exposure is related to his current conditions.

The Board found that VA did not cause any additional disability to the Veteran's heart disorder or hypertensive vascular disease, and thus denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed psychiatric, heart, glaucoma, and hypertension disabilities are not related to his active service. The evidence does not show any in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The Veteran's heart disability, including atrial fibrillation, hypertensive heart disease and ischemic heart disease, is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's hypertension is also granted as secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations to address his service connection claims. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and an addendum opinion from the August 2012 examiner regarding his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of erectile dysfunction, hip strain, or ischemic heart disease. The claim for weight gain is denied as obesity is not considered a disability for which service connection may be granted.

The Veteran's CAD was rated at 30 percent prior to November 29, 2012. It increased to 60 percent as of that date. The Veteran's PTSD remained at a 70 percent rating since December 28, 2011. Effective from December 12, 2012, the Veteran was granted TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease with a history of stent placement is currently rated at 10 percent and the appeal for an increased rating has been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart condition as secondary to service-connected disability, but denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn by the Veteran before a decision could be made.

The Veteran died from blunt force injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. The cause of death is not service-connected as his diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease did not contribute to the accident.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from June 19, 2011 to June 21, 2011 at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital were reimbursed as the emergency treatment was deemed necessary due to his severe symptoms and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was increased to a 20 percent rating effective October 13, 2011. The other issues remain on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis was denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosis or treatment in service, and the current condition is not related to service.,The Veteran's claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for disability compensation due to medical treatment from July 2006 to March 2007 was denied as there is no evidence that the additional disability was caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or similar fault.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease has been rated at 60 percent since March 25, 2014. The appeal is granted for this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including type II diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, neuropathy, chronic kidney disease, and prostate cancer, are not related to his military service or any exposure to DDT therein. As a result, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities (coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction) result in a combined 80% rating and preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.