Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2001

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability was denied, and the earliest possible effective date is August 19, 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for coronary artery disease resulting from tobacco use in service, finding that it was prohibited due to a law change after his claim was filed.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to PTSD, finding that new and material evidence was submitted. The case is now remanded for further development.

The veteran died of prostate cancer with metastasis to the bone and liver. The service-connected conditions (CAD, HTN, CHF) were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for DIC benefits, finding that the requirements were not met as a matter of law.

The Board has remanded the case due to a change in the law and the need for additional development under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Florida Hospital from February 12 to February 14, 1996 is denied as the condition was not considered an emergency and no VA facility was feasibly available.

The VA determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease, which was treated with balloon angioplasty in 1992, does not warrant an evaluation higher than 30 percent due to his current functional capacity and lack of significant cardiac symptoms or findings.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disease, and respiratory disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension on account of the need for aid and attendance was denied as he is not considered to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his significant but still functional disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records related to cardiovascular disease and adjudicating secondary service connection claims. The primary issue remains the rating for hypertension.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection of coronary artery disease secondary to his service-connected bronchial asthma with COPD, finding no evidence that the coronary artery disease was related to either condition.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board found no current hearing impairment for VA purposes and denied the claim of service connection for a hearing loss. The claim of service connection for coronary artery disease was also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has granted a 100% evaluation for PTSD from April 24, 2001, and an effective date of April 24, 2001, for service connection. The veteran's death was caused by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by or substantially or materially contributed to by a service-connected disability, and thus denied DIC benefits.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO. If his claims are still denied, he will be provided with a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and evidence, including verification of in-service stressors and examination by a VA psychiatrist and cardiologist.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by coronary artery disease, but it is unclear whether his service-connected residuals of a grenade wound contributed to this cause. The case is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a cold injury (frostbite), hypertension, a heart disability, hearing loss, tinnitus, a psychiatric disability including PTSD and a circulatory disability. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during military service.