Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death and found that he did not meet the eligibility requirements for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the claims are dismissed due to lack of pending issues.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of arteriosclerotic heart disease, finding that the correct facts were considered and the decision was in accordance with law.

The Board has found that the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease with hypertension is well grounded. The evidence supports a relationship between the veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with PTSD and his heart condition/hypertension.

The veteran's service-connected injuries, particularly the shrapnel wound involving the kidney, contributed to his death from atherosclerotic heart disease. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied reopening the previously denied claim for service connection of a heart condition and also denied the claims for service connection for rheumatic valvulitis on the basis of aggravation.

The Board found that the appellant's claims for service connection for otitis media, a heart condition, and hearing loss are not well-grounded. There is no competent medical evidence showing current disabilities or a link to service.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of the claim as it is no longer relevant.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded as there is no medical evidence of current diagnoses or a nexus between his claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and lack of a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart disorder had its onset in service and is presumed to have been incurred due to his elevated cholesterol level. The claim for service connection for residuals of a low back injury was denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted since the July 1990 decision.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and congestive heart failure as secondary to the veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, bronchitis, heart disease, and hypertension are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of current disability or a link to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability and lung cancer due to tobacco use in service or secondary to nicotine dependence are not well-grounded.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for hypertension with coronary artery disease is being remanded due to inconsistencies in the examination findings and need for additional development of the record.

The Board has determined that further evidentiary development is needed, including determining the nature of the veteran's cattle farming operation and obtaining additional evidence regarding his service-connected disabilities. The claims for increased evaluations for coronary artery disease with hypertension and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine will be addressed separately.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, aortic stenosis, and bicuspid aortic valve (heart condition) and an initial noncompensable rating for the right knee disorder. The left knee disorder secondary to the right knee disorder is also addressed.

The Board found that the veteran's heart conditions were not present in service or for many years after service, and they were not caused by any in-service incident.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for chronic heart disability and hypertension. The newly submitted evidence is redundant and cumulative.

The veteran's claim for a heart disability as secondary to his service-connected PTSD is well-grounded, and the VA must consider whether the heart disability has been aggravated by PTSD. The RO should contact the veteran to arrange further examination.