Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2000

The Board is remanding the case to determine if new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for heart disease. The appellant must be advised of the relevant legal provisions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a heart condition, allowing the case to proceed further.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease and hypertension has been remanded due to the need for additional development under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000. His claim for service connection for tinnitus was previously denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for heart disability as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, finding that there is no evidence to support this relationship.

The Board has determined that additional development is required to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims, including scheduling a VA examination for both his psychiatric disorder and coronary artery disease.

The Board found new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a heart disorder, which was denied in 1958. The veteran's post-service medical records were reviewed but did not provide sufficient evidence to establish service connection.

The veteran's chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as bipolar disorder, was incurred in service and is now granted. The secondary service connection for a heart disorder remains pending.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and severity of his heart disease.

The veteran's unauthorized hospitalization was not for a service-connected condition or to treat an aggravating pre-existing condition. The Board found that the treatment was unrelated to any service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a nervous condition, lung condition, coronary artery disease with right bundle branch block, and nicotine dependence due to tobacco use or nicotine dependence during service. The decision is based on the prohibition of such claims after June 9, 1998.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 50 percent disability rating, effective from August 26, 1994. The claim for increased PTSD evaluation is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current arteriosclerotic heart disease was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to a service-connected disability. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected PTSD and coronary artery disease, effective from August 24, 1993 to February 28, 1994, and 60 percent thereafter.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for nicotine dependence and coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease.

The veteran's widow is granted an earlier effective date of June [redacted], 1986, for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as an accrued benefit.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected arteriosclerotic heart disease with angina pectoris was denied by the RO.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for heart disease, which was previously denied in 1958. The appellant's current medical records suggest a possible link between his heart disease and conditions diagnosed during service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 due to lack of evidence linking any disability to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by his service-connected disability, specifically rheumatic heart disease. The medical evidence does not support a conclusion that these cardiac-related disorders were caused by service.

The veteran's need for regular aid and attendance is not due to service-connected disabilities. The veteran does not have a permanent housebound status or the required anatomical loss or use of limbs, thus denying his claims for special monthly compensation on account of a need for regular aid and attendance or specially adapted housing.