Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred from March 18, 2007 to March 22, 2007 was denied by the VA Medical Center in Muskogee, Oklahoma. The denial is based on the fact that the Veteran's condition had stabilized enough for transfer to a VA facility.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the appellant is not eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus, and a cardiac disorder (coronary artery disease and tachycardia) have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service stressors related to PTSD, and that there was no medical evidence linking the Veteran's current disabilities to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence and missing service records. The Veteran will need to undergo a VA examination, provide additional information, and have his records updated.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, chest pain (heart disorder), warts, lesions of the eyes, hemorrhoids, bilateral pes planus, and erectile dysfunction were all denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran is essentially so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance by another person, meeting the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected coronary artery disease, status post bypass; and denied his claims of service connection for sleep apnea and DJD of the right hip. The decision concluded that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's sleep apnea or DJD of the right hip to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to uncertainty regarding the appellant's period of active duty for training in October 1986 and potential need for further medical examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's hypertension is related to his service in Vietnam and Agent Orange exposure. The Board has granted service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Via Christi Regional Medical Center was denied as the VA facility in Wichita, Kansas (the closest to his home) was deemed feasible and available for use prior to seeking treatment at Via Christi.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for all issues, including service connection and TDIU.

The Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus or a heart disorder that is related to his service, including as due to participation in Project 112. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction did not have their onset in or were aggravated by any period of ACDUTRA, and thus denied service connection.

The Veteran's residuals of myocardial infarction with coronary artery bypass grafting have been characterized by normal left ventricular function, an ejection fraction of no less than 60 percent, and no evidence of congestive heart failure. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule have not been met.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asbestosis, coronary artery disease, headaches, visual disorder, and cervical spine disorder were denied. The claims were withdrawn by the Veteran prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus aggravates his heart disease, and thus grants service connection for heart disease as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, to include as secondary to PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice and further development.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital from September 27, 2007 to September 29, 2007 are denied as the treatment was covered by Medicare.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in its analysis and for compliance with the statutory duty to assist. The Veteran's claim of service connection for coronary artery disease, claimed as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, is now before the RO for further development.