Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2000

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her husband's death and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to ambiguity in the circumstances surrounding the VA examination of October 1999. The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be reviewed again with a new examination by two different psychiatrists.

The veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease is found to have contributed substantially or materially to his death from a cerebrovascular accident.

The Board found no competent evidence linking the veteran's heart disorder to service or his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, finding that his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery bypass, hypertension, and ulcer residuals as secondary to his service-connected gastritis medicamentosa. The evidence did not show a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for special monthly DIC benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound due to her disabilities, finding that she does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of service connection for heart disorder/hypertension, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder were not well grounded. The evidence did not show a nexus between current disabilities and his military service.

The veteran's heart disability and residuals of a cerebrovascular accident were not demonstrated during her military service, and there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to her active duty. The claims are therefore denied.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is denied as there is no evidence showing he is helpless or so nearly helpless that he requires such assistance.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well-grounded and denied them.

The veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease with history of fibrillation was rated at 60 percent effective March 18, 1997.,Effective May 2, 1998, the veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease with history of fibrillation is rated at 60 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a heart disorder as her claim is not well grounded.

The veteran died of arteriosclerotic heart disease, which was not related to his service-connected paranoid schizophrenia. The appellant's claim for DIC benefits is denied.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for the veteran's hypertensive heart disease with chest pain, effective July 22, 1998.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for arteriosclerotic heart disease with hypertension and status post bypass surgery, finding the veteran's condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his hypertensive cardiovascular disease with cardiomegaly, status-post coronary artery bypass grafts, times three is being remanded due to inadequate medical records and the need for further examination.

The veteran's disability conditions, including uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and amputation of the right leg, have rendered him unable to perform daily activities such as bathing, dressing, or toileting without assistance. The Board has determined that these conditions meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, a heart disorder, tinnitus, loss of equilibrium, eye infections, glaucoma, and prostate disorder are denied as there is no evidence to support these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service or due to exposure to radiation.

The Board denied service connection for cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, angina and a myocardial infarction in January 1996. The veteran's claim was reopened on August 6, 1996, based on new evidence, and he was granted service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease with myocardial infarction, angina and hypertension from that date. The Board found no legal entitlement to an earlier effective date.