Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2000

The veteran's claims for service connection for cavernous hemangioma, varicose veins, and initial evaluations for pulmonary disorder (asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and atherosclerotic heart disease are granted. The claim for service connection for depression is also granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for secondary service connection for a heart disorder, entitlement to an effective date earlier than September 7, 1993 for a grant of service connection for pulmonary asbestosis, and entitlement to an increased rating for pulmonary asbestosis. The decision also noted that the veteran did not have hypertension.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for beriberi and hypertensive arteriosclerotic heart disease, finding that there were no pending claims at the time of his death. The appellant was therefore not entitled to accrued benefits.

The veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and the Board denied both his claim for service connection for the cause of death and his claim for dependency and indemnity compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion providing a nexus between his current heart disability and the treatment provided at a VAMC from February to April 1993.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied in 1984, and there was no pending claim at the time of his death. Therefore, accrued benefits are not granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for ventricular fibrillation, acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and COPD as these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to new and material evidence, including a statement from Dr. Parsick supporting the appellant's claim that the veteran's death was related to a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for malaria, a right hip disability, and a right leg disability. The evidence did not establish current diagnoses or a link to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease and Buerger's disease with partial amputation of the left foot due to nicotine dependence are not well grounded, as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to in-service smoking.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease due to tobacco use and nicotine dependence, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and post-traumatic stress disorder, result in a combined rating of 60 percent. The Board has determined that the veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder as a residual of rheumatic fever is not well grounded, and thus denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a left leg condition, heart disease secondary to PTSD, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities have been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, including due to tobacco use in service or nicotine dependence arising in service, is not well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's fatal cardiovascular disease did not have its onset during service or within one year after retirement, and therefore, it is not service-connected for the cause of death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder, to include myocardial infarction and hypertension, on a direct basis. The claim was also denied for an increased rating for PTSD and for an effective date prior to June 3, 1991, for the award of total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's overpayment of compensation benefits is waived due to the significant financial hardship and the fact that he had a dependent spouse during almost the entire period of the overpayment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for coronary artery disease and an increased rating for rheumatic heart disease, finding that there is no competent medical evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a left temporal subarachnoid cyst is not well grounded. The reduction in evaluation of the veteran's cardiovascular disability from 100 percent to 30 percent was denied as improper.