Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2000

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for restoration of a 40 percent evaluation and increased evaluation for his service-connected hypertension with arteriosclerotic heart disease, finding that the evidence does not support such ratings.

The Board has determined that the appellant's coronary artery disease is not of service origin and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The VA has determined that the appellant's beriberi heart disease, diagnosed as arteriosclerotic heart disease, does not warrant a rating higher than 60 percent due to his condition being manifested by normal EKG results, a workload evaluation of 4 metabolic equivalents (METS), and an ejection fraction of 81 percent. The appellant's heart condition is not characterized by coronary occlusion or thrombosis, chronic congestive heart failure, or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction less than 30 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected heart condition, including hypertension, is granted. The highest possible evaluation under the rating schedule for cardiovascular disability will be considered.

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart disease is secondary to his service-connected malaria, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart disease, both secondary to nicotine dependence incurred during military service.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed because he died during the pendency of his appeal.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder and left shoulder disorder, but granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and depressive disorder. The veteran's attorney was paid fees based on past-due benefits awarded due to the grant of service connection for left cervical radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease is well grounded and granted. The case was remanded to consider additional evidence, including a possible link between malnutrition during POW status and current heart disease.

The Board has determined that the veteran's ischemic heart disease, which was service-connected, caused his death. The cause of death is considered to be directly related to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected heart disability is rated at 60 percent, effective November 6, 1995.

The veteran's only service-connected disability is hypertensive heart disease, currently rated at 60%. The Board finds that this condition alone does not render the veteran unemployable.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, concluding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to a compensable evaluation for his left ear hearing loss and does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his coronary artery disease with hypertension.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current right hand and heart disabilities and service. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cardiovascular disorder, including hypertension and myocardial infarction, was aggravated by service. The lumbar spine disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder are not well-grounded claims as there is no evidence of a pre-service diagnosis or in-service onset. The duodenal ulcer disease claim is also not well-grounded.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found no evidence of a connection between the veteran's current conditions and his military service, thus denying all claims for service connection.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 29, 1991 for the award of a 60 percent evaluation for arteriosclerotic heart disease with hypertension and coronary artery bypass graft residuals.

The Board denied the veteran's attempts to reopen his claims of service connection for a neck injury and heart disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.