Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected hearing loss or tinnitus, and finds no evidence of heart disability related to service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for his service-connected coronary artery disease is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected VA pension benefits is being remanded due to the need for clarification of his employment status and financial income throughout the appeal period, as well as a determination of whether he meets the income eligibility requirements.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gout has been granted, and his request to reopen a claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle rash was withdrawn. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an effective date earlier than February 8, 2010 for service-connected coronary artery disease, status-post myocardial infarction is being remanded due to the need for issuance of a Statement of Case (SOC).

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was related to his service-connected hypertension, which contributed substantially and materially to his cause of death.

The Veteran seeks reimbursement for private medical services provided at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center. The case is being remanded to determine if the earlier effective date claim should be resolved first, and then to consider both 38 U.S.C.A. § 1725 and § 1728 in determining eligibility for reimbursement.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and private treatment records. The service connection secondary to rheumatic heart disease with aortic stenosis and cardiac murmur issue is also inextricably intertwined and will be addressed as part of the TDIU review.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension (SMP) based on the need for aid and attendance of another or at the rate for housebound status is being remanded due to changes in criteria interpretation that make it easier for a veteran over 65 to qualify. The case will be reviewed again after additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension/hypertensive heart disease/hypertensive renal disease and erectile dysfunction, finding that these conditions were not caused or aggravated by his service or a service-connected disability (diabetes).

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran currently has such a condition.,Ischemic heart disease is presumed to have been incurred as a result of exposure to herbicides during military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his heart disorder. The case will be reviewed by the RO on the basis of this additional evidence.

The Board found no current diagnosis of a heart disorder and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease and hypertension. The Veteran's service-connected residuals of shell fragment wounds to the right leg are not productive of complete paralysis of the internal popliteal tibial nerve; nor does it represent an exceptional disability picture. A separate disability rating of 10 percent, but no higher, is warranted for deep scars in the posterior popliteal fossa area of the right leg that cover an area in excess of 6 inches but not 12 inches. The Veteran's service-connected residuals of shell fragment wounds to the left leg are not productive of a severe muscle injury; nor does it represent an exceptional disability picture. A separate disability rating of 10 percent, but no higher, is warranted for deep scars on the posterior aspect of the left calf and knee areas that cover an area in excess of 6 inches but not 12 inches. The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, status post three stents, is not productive of congestive heart failure, workload of greater than 3 METs but no great than 5 METs that results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or, left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 30 to 50 percent; nor does it represent an exceptional disability picture. The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is consistent with diastolic pressure predominately 100 or more, requires continuous medication, and does not represent an exceptional disability picture.

The Veteran's hypertension was incurred during service and is related to his military service.,The Veteran's heart disorder, including congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy, is likely secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The residuals of cerebrovascular accidents are also related to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection of a heart disability, including obtaining relevant Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity for a VA examination to determine if his current heart murmur is related to his active military service.

The Veteran's cause of death is listed as COPD, with CAD and hypertension as significant contributing conditions. The Board finds that the Veteran served in Vietnam during a period when herbicide exposure was presumed, and thus service connection for his coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to assess his PTSD, heart disability, hypertension, sleep apnea, and left wrist condition.

The Board has determined that a VA medical opinion is needed to determine whether the Veteran had ischemic heart disease and if this condition caused or contributed to his death. The case will be remanded for further development.