Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2000

The Board's decision was vacated due to the veteran's death, and the appeal is dismissed.

The veteran sustained a myocardial infarction following a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) at a VA facility in June 1994. This resulted in additional disability and the Board found that compensation benefits should be awarded under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a head injury and attempts to reopen his claims for heart disorder and right knee disorders, finding that he had not submitted evidence of well-grounded claims or new and material evidence. The decision is considered mixed as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and a heart disorder as the claims were not well grounded due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to any period of active service.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for heart disease with hypertension, finding that the veteran's blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by his service-connected coronary artery disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which were both linked to his tobacco use during service. As a result, the appeal for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted.

The veteran's disabilities do not render him unable to tend to the basic functions of self-care without regular assistance from another person, and he is not blind or so nearly blind as to have corrected visual acuity of 5/200 or less in both eyes. Therefore, his claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for heart disability, finding that it is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected nicotine dependence.

The Board found that the veteran's heart disorder is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied both claims for service connection and increased evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and right lower extremity disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The right lower extremity disorder was not found to be related to the veteran's service-connected left lower extremity disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral defective hearing, heart disorder, and an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). However, the claim of service connection for these conditions remains denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking any current disability to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, Buerger's disease, and Raynaud's disease, claimed as due to tobacco use and nicotine addiction are denied.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the cause of the veteran's death to service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not have any compensable service-connected disabilities at the time of his death and denied both claims for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and eligibility for dependent's educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Board finds that the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is not well grounded due to a lack of evidence linking in-service exposure or injury to the cause of death.

The Board has granted a 100% evaluation for PTSD and has determined that the veteran's CAD is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's heart disorder was not caused by his service-connected anxiety disorder and is not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the appellant's entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) was first shown on September 18, 1986. The effective date for TDIU is therefore set at September 18, 1986.

The VA determined that the veteran's rheumatic heart disease does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as it did not show any significant cardiac manifestations or functional limitations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, heart disability, and hypercholesterolemia. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of these conditions during or within a year after service, and that hypercholesterolemia is not a compensable condition.