Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2001

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and reviewing the veteran's claims file to determine if his service-connected heart disease contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD effective October 16, 1996 and assigned a 10% rating. The RO increased the rating for residuals of right leg burns to 40% effective September 9, 1997.

The veteran claims service connection for ischemic heart disease, which is presumed due to his time as a prisoner of war. The Board has ordered remand for further development and consideration.

The veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, including as secondary to nasal polyps, is being remanded due to the need for additional development under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic right ankle disability, an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his heart disability, and an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his umbilical hernia. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The VA denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional heart disability claimed to be due to heart operations performed at a VA medical center in January and April 1991.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, arteriosclerotic heart disease, and burns to both eyes. The claim for tinea cruris was partially granted with a 10% disability rating.

The veteran's temporary total convalescent rating application was denied because the hospitalization did not meet the criteria for a convalescent rating under VA regulations.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to perform daily functions or substantially confine him to his dwelling and immediate premises, thus denying special monthly compensation in the form of aid and attendance or housebound benefits.

The veteran's claims for service connection and VA outpatient dental treatment were denied. The claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was also denied as the veteran did not meet the basic eligibility requirements.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, which includes myocardial infraction, heart disease, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The RO will consider whether the veteran's conditions may be subject to presumptive service connection based on his status as a prisoner of war.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current heart condition to his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart condition, which includes coronary artery disease and a heart disorder, does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent under either the old or new VA rating criteria. The evidence shows that his physical capabilities are limited to an exertional capacity of 9-11 METs, which is consistent with a minimum 30 percent rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection and is remanding his secondary heart disorder service connection claim.

The veteran's lower extremity weakness and loss of function are attributed to non-service connected disabilities, thus denying entitlement to specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat during his service, and thus could not establish PTSD based on a verified in-service stressor. The heart disease was also denied as secondary to the low back disorder. For the low back disorder, the evaluation remained at 20 percent.

The veteran's claim for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or special home adaptations is denied because he does not meet the criteria for these benefits based on his service-connected conditions.

The VA has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's rheumatic heart disease, effective June 1995. The decision acknowledges that the condition is service-connected and not due to any other conditions.

The VA determined that the veteran's current coronary artery disease did not develop during his military service and is unrelated to such service.