Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has previously denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, but the case is being remanded due to insufficient evidence and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a need for a VA medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be adult respiratory distress syndrome, with diabetes mellitus type I and arteriosclerotic heart disease as contributing conditions. The VA examiner found no evidence suggesting a positive correlation between the Veteran's PTSD and his development of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, ARDS, or arteriosclerotic heart disease.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, erectile dysfunction, and coronary artery disease (CAD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The appeal is based on presumed exposure to herbicides during service in Korea.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA and private records, specifically treatment from the San Juan, P.R. VA Medical Center. The heart condition claim is inextricably intertwined with the individual unemployability claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the conditions listed in his claims, and thus the appeal is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fainting spells, a heart condition, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The appeals were dismissed as they were not currently in appellate status.

The Veteran's heart disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death, and thus does not grant service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current coronary artery disease is not related to his period of active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including residuals of CABG, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, and diabetic nephropathy, are sufficient to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. As a result, TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's medical expenses incurred from May 12, 2010, until May 19, 2010 were reimbursed as prior authorization was provided by VA for the treatment at a non-VA hospital.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for cataracts, macular degeneration, presbyopia, and dermatochalasis was withdrawn. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment or other factors warranting a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's cerebrovascular accident is found to be related to his service-connected coronary artery disease. The initial rating for his coronary artery disease remains at 60 percent.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for confirmation of whether the Veteran's ship, U.S.S. Caliente, docked in Cam Ranh Bay and traveled into the Mekong Delta during his service in Vietnam, which could impact his claim for ischemic heart disease as related to herbicide exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary artery disease were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The evidence did not support a finding of herbicide exposure during service, and therefore presumptive service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses is denied as he did not meet the criteria under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1725 and 38 C.F.R. § 17.120.

The Board has ordered the case back to the AOJ for additional development and readjudication, including providing a copy of the Veteran's claims folder to his representative and ensuring that the SSOC includes citations and discussion of relevant regulations.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for rheumatic heart disease and service connection for left popliteal and peroneal nerve palsy, as well as compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, were denied by the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. The RO's September 2004 decision denying service connection for CAD and hypertension is final, but new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for CAD and hypertension.