Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted, reopening the veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptations. However, due to his service-connected disabilities, he does not meet the regulatory requirements for entitlement to these benefits.

The October 1979 rating decision denied service connection for coronary artery disease due to the absence of a heart condition in service and within the presumptive period. The veteran's claim was not reopened because he did not provide evidence that would have changed this outcome.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been granted, with the exception of the claim for hemorrhoids which has not yet been reopened.

The veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective August 1, 1996 due to his service-connected arteriosclerotic heart disease and marginal employment status.

The Board denied an increased disability evaluation for the veteran's hypertensive and arteriosclerotic heart disease with unstable angina, finding that the current 30 percent rating adequately reflects his symptoms.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied. Service connection for diabetes mellitus was not established, and the right knee and left knee disabilities were rated based on their current manifestations.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for basic eligibility for VA benefits, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied claim.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under either the old or new VA rating schedules. The claims of service connection for other conditions were denied as they were not well-grounded.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent disabling for accrued benefits purposes. Service connection for hypertension/arteriosclerotic heart disease as secondary to PTSD is granted, but service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and the cause of death are denied.

The veteran's service-connected heart disability is rated at 60 percent, which meets the criteria for TDIU benefits as it is a single service-connected disability ratable at 40% or more.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran was granted a 10 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss effective from October 30, 1999.

The veteran's claim for pension benefits due to non-service connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and arranging for VA examinations to assess the extent of his disabilities.

The veteran's death was due to various heart conditions and diabetes, which were not related to service or a service-connected disability. The appellant is denied eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for heart disease and hypertension due to new evidence provided by the veteran. The Board also granted service connection based on the medical opinion linking current health issues to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and arteriosclerotic heart disease (ASHD) as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these previously denied claims.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's coronary artery disease to his military service, and thus denied the claim of service connection for the cause of death.

The veteran's death was caused by small cell carcinoma of the lung, which is not service-connected. The appellant also seeks educational assistance under Chapter 35 but does not meet the eligibility criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease with hypertension is not related to his service, including as secondary to nicotine dependence.