Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2001

The Board denied the appellant's request to reopen her claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to lack of new and material evidence, despite the veteran having been a prisoner of war.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, bilateral pes planus, and diabetes mellitus, contribute to his need for regular aid and attendance. Therefore, the claim is granted.

The VA determined that the cause of the veteran's death (atherosclerotic heart disease) was not caused by or a result of his service-connected conditions, and therefore denied service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an increased rating for rheumatic heart disease is denied, and his claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis secondary to rheumatic heart disease was not well-grounded. The case is being remanded for further development.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at Christian Northeast Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri is denied as the services were not rendered in a medical emergency and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pneumonia, coronary artery disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as new and material evidence was not presented to reopen these claims.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction to his active service or periods of active duty for training, thus denying the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by anoxic encephalopathy due to a food bolus obstruction, which was materially contributed to by his service-connected arteriosclerotic heart disease and an eating disorder incurred during his time as a prisoner of war. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his death was not caused by or substantially related to any condition of service origin.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertensive heart disease and granted a rating of 20 percent effective October 30, 1998.

The Board has determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease warrants a restoration of a 100 percent schedular evaluation, effective November 1, 1999.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to reopen her service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that the evidence submitted was not new and material.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death was incurred in active service, specifically due to hypertension and congestive heart failure.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The RO must ensure all notification and development action required by the VCAA are completed, including obtaining medical records from VA and non-VA providers. A special VA cardiovascular examination should be conducted.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for cardiovascular disease due to new and material evidence submitted, including a September 1999 statement from Dr. Hudson indicating that the veteran's heart disability could be caused by his leg problems.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, currently rated at 30 percent.

The RO denied the appellant's claims for increased PTSD evaluation and service connection for a right eye disorder, varicose veins, degenerative joint disease of the knees, low back disorder, and vascular and heart disorders. The appeal is remanded to allow further development.,The RO denied the appellant's claim for service connection for his right eye disorder as secondary to his left eye disability (traumatic cataract with glaucoma and aphakia). The appeal is remanded to allow further development.,The RO denied the appellant's claim for service connection for varicose veins. The appeal is remanded to allow further development.,The RO denied the appellant's claim to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the knees. The appeal is remanded to allow further development.,The RO denied the appellant's claims for service connection for low back disorder and vascular and heart disorders as secondary to his left eye disability and/or shell fragment wounds. The appeal is remanded to allow further development.,The RO denied the appellant's claim for service connection for vascular and heart disorders as secondary to his left eye disability and/or shell fragment wounds. The appeal is remanded to allow further development.

The veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to have been incurred in service due to his experiences as a prisoner of war.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a heart disorder, finding no evidence of an underlying heart condition or disability that is manifested by current symptoms of paroxysmal tachycardia.

The veteran's request for Service Disabled Veterans Insurance (RH) is inextricably intertwined with his claims for service connection for various disabilities. The appeal of eligibility for RH is held in abeyance pending resolution of the service connection claims.