Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2000

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance for his spouse was denied as there is no legal basis to grant an effective date prior to January 9, 1998.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and atherosclerotic heart disease are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a nexus between any in-service events and these conditions.

The Board granted a 100 percent disability evaluation for rheumatic heart disease effective July 1, 1992. The veteran appealed the effective date and the Court vacated the decision, ordering that an effective date prior to July 1, 1992 be granted.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, heart disease, and stroke as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatic heart disease, finding that the evidence did not show a current disability or any link to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting his conditions and found no clear and unmistakable error in the original decision.

The Board denied service connection for stomach disorder, gastroenteritis and ulcers, low back disability, and heart disease. The evidence submitted was not considered new and material to reopen any of the claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic skin disability and hypertension and heart disability as aggravated by his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder. The veteran was not granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, back condition, skin condition, and bilateral knee condition are not well-grounded as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of PTSD and service connection for heart disease and duodenal ulcer disease secondary to PTSD have been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's heart disorder, pulmonary disorder, and stroke (cerebrovascular accident) as aggravated by his service-connected psychoneurosis, anxiety and conversion. Service connection is denied for diabetes mellitus, kidney disorder, prostate disorder, and orchialgia.

The veteran's claim for VA compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied because there is no evidence that his myocardial infarction during coronary angioplasty resulted in additional disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disability and a cardiovascular disability, as well as his increased rating claims. The decision also noted that new evidence did not provide sufficient material to reopen the claim for a pulmonary disability.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for cardiovascular disease due to new evidence showing a myocardial infarction in service. The Board also found that post-service cardiovascular disease is related to this inservice myocardial infarction.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Memorial Hospital, Colorado Springs, from March 16 to March 19, 1997 are granted as the VA facilities were feasibly available and an attempt to use them beforehand or obtain prior VA authorization for the services required would have been reasonable, sound, wise, or practical.

The veteran meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, finding that it was not well grounded and requiring further development of medical records.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for headaches and granted service connection for neck and back problems with degenerative changes. The heart condition is not considered well grounded.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder and coronary artery disease were not well-grounded, as there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (Major Depressive Disorder) and found the claim for a heart disorder not well grounded.