Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2001

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cataracts, ocular hypertension (versus glaucoma), and a neuropsychiatric condition as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The claim for an increased evaluation for hypertension was granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not entitled to a special monthly allowance based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or housebound status due to disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran did not have localized edema during his captivity as a POW, and therefore could not establish service connection for ischemic heart disease based on the presumption of beriberi.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed because he died during the pendency of his appeal.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to changes in the law and missing medical records.

The Board has determined that the November 1961 decision severing service connection for rheumatic heart disease was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and thus service connection is restored.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA cardiologist's opinion regarding the relationship between the veteran's service-connected PTSD and his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and a medical opinion regarding whether COPD contributed to the veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected cardiac disability, currently rated at 60 percent.

The Board has determined that the attorney fees stipulated in June 15, 1998, attorney fee agreement are excessive and unreasonable and have been reduced to zero.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has determined that the appellant is not a proper claimant for payment of a burial allowance because her personal funds were not used to pay for the veteran's burial expenses. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding no evidence linking his fatal sepsis and other conditions to military service or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a left eye disorder and granted service connection for PTSD. The heart condition (hypertension) is not considered incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, finding no link between his conditions and presumed Agent Orange exposure or any other incident of his service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, residuals of a stroke (claimed as loss of sight, swollen ankles, and heart damage), arteriosclerotic heart disease, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and back disorder. The appeals were decided on the merits without any presumption or secondary service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, finding that there was no evidence of localized edema during his captivity as a POW and thus not meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of rheumatic fever, including valvular heart disease, mitral, with arrhythmia, syncope, and aortic stenosis, meet the criteria for a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board found that the veteran's squamous cell skin cancer, heart disease, and diabetes mellitus were not related to his military service or exposure to ionizing radiation. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board has determined that coronary artery disease contributed to the veteran's death, warranting service connection for the cause of death.

The veteran is entitled to a total rating based on individual unemployability from January 12, 1998, due to his service-connected cardiovascular and respiratory disorders.