Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2001

The veteran's total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability is denied as it cannot be assigned prior to May 29, 1991 due to the lack of service connection before that date.

The Board has ordered additional development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the relationship between the appellant's valvular heart disease and his military service. The case will be remanded for a VA specialist examination.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of death, DIC benefits, eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA), accrued benefits, and non-service connected death pension.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions, including emphysema, heart disorder, and cancer of the colon, were not related to service or any event of service. The VA has made reasonable efforts to assist the veteran in obtaining evidence necessary to substantiate his claims.

The Board is remanding the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's service-connected cardiovascular disability contributed to his cause of death. The RO should arrange for an appropriate examiner to provide opinions on these issues.

The Board found that the veteran's heart condition was not caused or worsened by his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic heart disease and a rating increase for post-traumatic stress disorder. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease and an increased evaluation for malaria, as well as his claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. 1151 for a gastrointestinal disability resulting from VA treatment.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for ischemic heart disease, currently rated at 30 percent, has been granted. The effective date is to be determined based on the rescheduled hearing.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cardiovascular disability, including hypertension, is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected amputations. The case is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance, and adaptive equipment therefor, as well as a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing. The Board found that additional clarification was needed regarding whether the veteran's service-connected glomerulonephritis with coronary artery disease has caused loss of use of his hands and feet.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder, muscular dystrophy, and heart disease due to lack of new and material evidence for the back disorder claim. The other two claims were not addressed as they are considered part of the same appeal.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence.

The Board denied a disability evaluation in excess of 60 percent for the veteran's service-connected hypertensive arteriosclerotic heart disease, finding that the revised criteria did not provide more favorable treatment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for skin condition, thrombocutaneous disorder (claimed as bone marrow or blood condition), heart disease, hypertension, memory loss, and increased evaluation for grand mal seizure disorder. The claims were not well grounded.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease, finding that the veteran's hypertension began in service and caused his post-service coronary artery disease.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected rheumatic heart disease was denied as he failed to report for a necessary VA examination without good cause.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a heart disability, including hypertension. The Board also found that the veteran's heart disability had its onset during active military service.

The RO denied the veteran's claim for service connection due to hypertension and cardiovascular disorders, but granted service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease with a rating of 60 percent effective November 7, 1995. The veteran appealed this decision, claiming clear and unmistakable error in not addressing his claims.