Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board determined that the Veteran's heart disorder (coronary artery disease) was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to ensure full compliance with the duty to assist, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. A heart disability examination is also required.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease. The decision is based on a finding that there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that cellulitis, stroke with left hemiparesis and multi infarct dementia, congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and hypothyroidism were not present in service or related to service. The Board also found that the Veteran's service-connected stomach disorder (chronic enteritis) did not contribute to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding the reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred from February 29, 2008 to March 1, 2008. The case will be readjudicated after completion of the necessary steps.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claim of service connection for a heart disability. The case will be remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from the examiner who conducted the June 2011 VA examination and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine nature and severity of his heart disability, if any.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and residuals of multiple cerebrovascular accidents are being remanded due to the need for additional evidentiary development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including service connection for variously diagnosed psychiatric disorders, cervical spine arthritis, hypertension, heart disorder, and left leg arthritis, as well as a compensable rating for residuals of a left tibia injury.

The Veteran is not entitled to an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease, and his claim for a higher initial rating prior to January 19, 2011 is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for a heart disability. The Board denied claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, and lordosis of the thoracic spine as there is no verified in-service stressor or credible supporting evidence that the claimed events occurred.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone render him unable to care for most of his daily personal needs or to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment without the assistance of others, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current right leg and back disabilities to his active service, including any herbicide exposure. The claims were denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is aggravated by his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease has been increased to 60 percent effective June 9, 2011. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's back injury and heart disease are not related to his military service, with the exception of a spinal tap during service which may have caused nerve damage. The Board concluded that there is no evidence linking these conditions directly to his time in the military.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims for skin rash, hypertension and arteriosclerotic heart disease/coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, kidney disorder, liver disorder, and vision disorder. The Veteran's service connection claims were denied as there is no medical evidence demonstrating these conditions were incurred during active service.

The Board has determined that coronary artery disease is likely as not incurred during active service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.