Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder and granted it, finding that his preexisting condition was aggravated by military service. The appeal concerning type II diabetes mellitus and heart conditions is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew those issues from appeal.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain a VA examination and determine if the Veteran's pectus excavatum, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, or seizure disorder are related to his period of military service.

The Veteran's gastritis is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board has granted this rating and denied his request for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for coronary artery disease is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of a head injury with equilibrium problems related to active military service. The claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer (status post prostatectomy), and hypertension are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's initial rating for his CAD, status post stent placement was granted at 10 percent effective March 1, 2008. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to September 19, 2008 and since then, he has been rated at 60 percent.

The Veteran's condition meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance due to his disabilities, including leg pain, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary artery disease, right hip strain with chronic pain and limitation of motion (LOM), status post operative repair, tear medial meniscus and osteochondritis dissecans right knee with chronic pain, degenerative arthritis with LOM in flexion and extension with incomplete extension, status post operative total knee replacement left knee with chronic pain, diffuse degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with partial lumbarization of S1 with chronic pain, and varying LOM. The Veteran is legally blind and requires assistance for daily activities such as cooking.

The Board found no evidence of a service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension, concluding that the Veteran's current heart condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's cardiorespiratory failure, due to hypertension, seizure, anticoagulation, and heart disease, was not shown to have manifested during service or for many years thereafter, and were not otherwise shown to be related to service.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development, including obtaining employment medical records from Beaumont Fabrics in Utica, New York. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for heart disease will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate disability, heart disability, peripheral neuropathy of upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of lower extremities due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran did not have current peripheral neuropathy in either upper or lower extremities.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for hypertension and ischemic heart disease, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and compliance with VA's duties to notify and assist. The issues of increased evaluations for arteriosclerotic heart disease, bilateral pes cavus, and right ear hearing loss are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the cause of death. The issue of nonservice-connected death pension benefits is also being addressed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, dermatitis, cardiovascular disease, heart disability, muscle pain, and joint pain prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU benefits is being remanded due to the need for a VA medical examination and additional development of his Social Security Administration records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including Reiter's syndrome, bilateral eye condition, heart condition, gastrointestinal disability, and chronic urinary tract infections, as these conditions are not shown to be directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and attempting to obtain any private cardiovascular treatment records. The claim will also address whether the Veteran has been unemployable since 2005 due to his service-connected disabilities.