Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for beriberi heart disease, to include ischemic heart disease is well grounded and remanded for further development.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for an increased rating for inguinal hernia and did not find new and material evidence to reopen his claims of service connection for hearing loss or heart disease under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claims for service connection for residuals of radiation exposure and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. However, the new evidence does not provide a plausible link between these conditions and his military service. The claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), heart condition, and alcoholism remains without merit.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and lung disorder as secondary to chronic anxiety reaction, finding that there was no evidence showing that these disorders were caused or aggravated by his service-connected condition.

The Board denied increased ratings for rheumatic heart disease with valvular insufficiency and residuals of rheumatic fever consisting of recurrent episodes of arthralgia in December 1996 and May 1998, respectively. The motion alleging clear and unmistakable error (CUE) was denied.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's coronary artery disease and hypertension, as well as a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease is not well-grounded because there is no medical evidence linking his current condition to his active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for hypothyroidism, hypertension and heart disease, including as secondary to exposure to ionizing radiation, is not well-grounded.

The veteran's appeal was denied for both the claim regarding a March 1993 rating decision and his claims under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, as they were not well-grounded due to lack of supporting medical evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for reopening service connection for back disability, heart disability, and emphysema due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, basic eligibility for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code, and entitlement to service-connected VA burial benefits are not well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic cardiovascular disability, including coronary artery disease and hypertension, is not well-grounded. The February 1992 rating decision denying service connection for paranoid-type schizophrenia is final as no new and material evidence was submitted to reopen this claim.

The Board has granted service connection for malnutrition and ischemic heart disease as a residual of beriberi, with ratings of 20% and 60%, respectively. Attorney fees are payable from past-due benefits based on the successful resolution of these claims.

The veteran's cause of death was hypercalcemia due to metastatic squamous cell carcinoma, with contributing conditions being prostate cancer and coronary artery disease. The Board found that the service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his demise.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking any service-connected condition to the cause of death.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder due to insufficient evidence and further development is required.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease, including ventricular tachycardia as secondary to service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a comprehensive VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran did not present competent evidence showing that his current heart disorder was first shown during service or during a presumed period, and that any pre-existing condition did not increase in severity as a result of service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's CAD with a history of hypertension prior to January 12, 1998 warrants a 30 percent disability rating. As of January 12, 1998, the veteran is entitled to a 60 percent disability rating for his CAD.

The Board denied the appellant's claim that the cause of her husband's death was related to his service-connected disabilities, finding no evidence linking any of the veteran's conditions to his time in active duty.