Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2000

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for service connection and reopening of claims are moot.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disorder, stomach disorder, residuals of dental trauma, and residuals of jaw fracture. The appeals were based on direct evidence rather than presumptive exposure or new and material evidence.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for cardiovascular disease, including hypertension and coronary artery disease, on a direct or secondary basis to his service-connected PTSD is denied.

The Board found that none of the diseases or conditions incurred in service were the primary cause of death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The VA reduced the veteran's disability rating for valvular heart disease with mitral insufficiency from 100% to 10%, effective August 1, 1999. The reduction was upheld as supported by evidence of improvement in the veteran's condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to new evidence received from a VA Medical Center in Danville, Illinois. The claim will be reconsidered with this additional information.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence. The veteran now has service-connected hypertension, which led to a heart condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to new regulations regarding diabetes and Agent Orange exposure, as well as the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring an automobile or other conveyance and specially adaptive equipment, as well as financial assistance in purchasing special adaptive housing. The appeals were dismissed due to the Court's remand order.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and requested additional information from NPRC regarding the veteran's duty status during a specific period. The RO is also instructed to refer the case for a medical review to determine when the veteran's heart attack began.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the severity of his rheumatic heart disease and whether it has been aggravated by his nonservice-connected arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The issue of service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease due to rheumatic heart disease will also be addressed.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating of 10 percent for GERD has been granted, effective from March 23, 2000. The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected GERD does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The veteran's effective date for additional compensation for a dependent spouse is set to August 27, 1993, with the commencement of payment on September 1, 1993. This decision grants his claim based on the criteria that the earliest possible effective date aligns with the date of his increased disability rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, heart disease, PTSD, ocular disability, diarrhea, sinus problems, skin rashes, joint pains, nerve problems in the legs, leg cramps, burning feet, paralysis of the left side of the face, left hand and wrist injury, headaches, and tinnitus were denied. The Board found that these conditions did not manifest during service or are otherwise related to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any of the claimed disorders, or manifestations of chronic diseases of heart and arthritis. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for emphysema and coronary artery disease as a result of tobacco use was denied because the law prohibits such claims after June 9, 1998.

The Board has remanded the case due to newly enacted legislation and procedural considerations, including the need for VA medical examinations to determine the etiology of current hypertension, heart condition, migraine headaches, blocked arteries, and any psychiatric disorders. The veteran's claims for service connection are also pending.

The Board has granted service connection for glaucoma and denied service connection for heart disease, chest pain, a disorder on the left side of the head, and chronic nosebleeds. The veteran's claims are based on direct evidence.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied because the additional disabilities were not found to be caused by VA medical or surgical treatment, and there is no evidence of negligence or fault on VA's part.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease under the presumptive provisions for POWs.