Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity were denied by the Board. The case is being remanded to allow for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at St. Joseph's Hospital is denied as the closest VA facility was available and he could have been safely transferred to a VA facility.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including Type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, impotency, and skin rash.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another, as well as housebound status, is being remanded due to incomplete evidence. The Board will attempt to obtain updated VA treatment records and private medical records to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for these benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension, PTSD, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and multiple diabetic neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities, are considered in determining his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The RO must obtain a supplemental opinion on this issue.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for coronary artery disease, carotid artery disease, peripheral vascular disease of the left lower extremity, and peripheral vascular disease of the right lower extremity. The Veteran's disabilities are found to be proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for an examination regarding the Veteran's seizure disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for rheumatic fever with heart condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's heart disability and diabetes mellitus are currently rated, but the Board finds that neither condition warrants a higher rating based on current medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for cardiovascular disease, including hypertension and CAD, finding no evidence of a current disability present in service or within one year after separation. The Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed heart murmur or residuals of pre-service rheumatic fever/rheumatic heart disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected PTSD, which was diagnosed posthumously. The cause of death listed on his death certificate is 'unknown natural causes,' but it is believed to be related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and coronary artery disease (CAD) as secondary to PTSD are all denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions and noted that the Veteran did not provide credible evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities have been remanded by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's gastrointestinal and heart disorders are secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's mitral valve disease, which led to heart replacement surgery, is presumed to have existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the submitted evidence was not new and material, thus denying the reopening of the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service and could not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease and malignant skin neoplasms are presumed to have been incurred in service. The Veteran's right eye diplopia, allergic rhinitis, and benign skin neoplasm (actinic keratosis) are granted service connection.

The Veteran's dementia with depression and vascular disease is rated at 100 percent since June 2, 2008. The erectile dysfunction associated with diabetes mellitus warrants a compensable rating. Service connection for coronary artery disease was denied. The Veteran's chronic ulcer disease is not service connected. A higher level of special monthly compensation based on the loss of use of one eye is granted. Diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is rated at 100 percent since May 29, 2000.