Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2001

The Board denied the claims for increased rating for bronchial asthma and service connection for hypertension and heart disease, finding that new evidence did not reopen the previously denied claim for service connection. The veteran's hypertension and heart disease were found to be aggravated by his service-connected bronchial asthma.

The veteran withdrew his appeal, thus the case is dismissed.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities aggravated his non-service-connected coronary artery disease with hypertension, granting secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease as the veteran's period of incarceration was less than 30 days and did not meet the criteria to be considered a prisoner of war.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, concluding that there was not sufficient evidence to indicate a direct service connection and no statutory presumption applied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and the cause of his death has been denied as there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to new regulations and evidence, but a decision on service connection for the cause of death is not yet clear.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating and earlier effective date for his service-connected heart disability is granted, with the effective date set at September 17, 1992.

The veteran's PTSD and ischemic heart disease are granted service connection, while the right foot and right knee disabilities remain unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case due to new regulations and missing records, requiring further development of the claims.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and heart disease, including left ventricular hypertrophy, finding that the conditions were not present until many years after separation from service and are not related to service.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an effective date prior to January 26, 1997 for DIC benefits due to the liberalizing amendment to the POW regulation that granted service connection for the cause of death based on episodes of localized edema during captivity and subsequent ischemic heart disease.

The Board finds that the veteran's heart disease has been aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition as secondary to PTSD.

The veteran's arthritis of the hands and right elbow is service-connected, as are his complaints of pain and numbness above the knees. The Board finds that ED (impotence) is secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of whether new and material evidence supports reopening the claim for service connection for a heart disorder due to aggravation during active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, heart disorder and hypertension, dementia secondary to PTSD, left ear hearing loss disability, left ear infection, and perforation of the left tympanic membrane. The 20 percent rating assigned for gunshot wound injury to Muscle Group XVII was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred in or related to his active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for rheumatic heart disease, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's rheumatic heart disease does not currently meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation, and thus his claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected valvular heart disease, finding that his current symptoms are due to his atherosclerotic coronary vascular disease and not his valvular disease. The veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for this condition.