Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran seeks service connection for cancer of the vocal cords, ischemic heart disease, and diabetes mellitus type II as due to herbicide exposure. The Board has determined that additional development is needed regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for the Veteran's hypertensive heart disease from October 30, 2013. The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, heart condition, left ankle disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and scars cause her to require aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is not related to his active service and cannot be presumed due to herbicide exposure. The claim for prostate cancer and basal cell carcinoma was not addressed as it pertained to different issues.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have contributed substantially and materially to his death from congestive heart failure, leading the Board to grant service connection for cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and need for a VA examination. The Veteran's heart condition, including ischemic heart disease, is being evaluated in light of his service exposure.

The Board found that the proximate cause of the Veteran's death was not due to VA treatment, including Dilantin administration, and thus denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examinations and incomplete evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale provided by the examiner regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected coronary artery disease. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, which is presumed due to his service in Vietnam, contributed to his death from a myocardial infarction. Therefore, the cause of the Veteran's death is considered service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic strain of the bilateral inner thighs and a heart disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The claim for increased rating for mechanical low back pain was also denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of radiation or asbestos exposure in service. As such, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially to his death from coronary artery disease, and grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The claim for dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service records and exposure history.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issue of an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease has been remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The claim for skin cancer as secondary to herbicide exposure remains pending.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from May 5, 2010 to May 6, 2010 are denied as the treatment was not for an emergency and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment of a sedentary nature during the period January 1, 2008 to August 30, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA, heart condition (non-ischemic cardiomyopathy), and kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy) as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease is also granted but with a current rating of 10% since May 17, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various conditions, and the Board has determined that these claims are inextricably intertwined with other issues. The case is therefore REMANDED to schedule a videoconference hearing before the undersigned VLJ.