Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be at least as likely as not caused by or a result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran does not have PTSD due to uncorroborated claimed stressors. Service connection for coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction, secondary to DM, is granted since July 9, 2001.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a chronic right knee disability, ulcers, or PTSD due to personal assault. The Veteran's hemorrhoids are not manifested by persistent bleeding, anemia, fissures, nor are they large or thrombotic.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of residuals of a ruptured right eardrum, and thus denied the claim for service connection for this condition. The heart and right ankle disorders are remanded as additional development is necessary to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's current hypertension and hypertensive heart disease did not manifest during service, is not otherwise shown to be causally or etiologically related to service, and is not shown to have manifested to a degree of 10 percent or more within one year from the date of separation from service. The Board denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's current flushing syndrome and associated symptoms are secondary to his contamination during service with jet engine fuel.,Diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, osteopenia, and obstructive sleep apnea are all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected flushing syndrome.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for bipolar disorder, and that arteriosclerotic heart disease was not related to service-connected bipolar disorder. Service connection for fibromyalgia and degenerative arthritis was also denied as these conditions were not shown to be related to service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his atherosclerotic heart disease was not related to service and did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on March 7, 2008 for emergency treatment of difficulty breathing and trouble swallowing are approved due to the severity of his service-connected heart disease and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a heart disability, claimed as recurrent paroxysmal tachycardia, which he believes is related to his service-connected hypothyroidism. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current heart disability.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic PTSD. The Veteran's appeal from the denial of service connection for depression is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of his claims for service connection for coronary artery disease secondary to PTSD, as well as a rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was granted effective from May 22, 2006. The Board found that the evidence did not show an earlier date when he became unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's lung disorder and heart disease to his military service, thus denying both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a request for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for multifocal premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), claimed as heart disease, finding that no new and material evidence had been received.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a radiation dose assessment and seeking medical opinion regarding the relationship between his hypothyroidism and service exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and heart disease were both pre-existing conditions that did not become manifest during service or within one year of separation. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's current coronary artery disease was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service, and is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need of regular aid and attendance is granted, as he meets the criteria due to his disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction. The case is remanded to determine if there is a link between any diagnosed psychiatric disability and in-service stressors, including those related to combat events in Vietnam.