Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2001

The Board found that the appellant's coronary artery disease is not caused by or worsened by his service-connected paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, and denied his claim for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for nicotine dependence and coronary artery disease, finding that there was no evidence of a direct link to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and denied service connection for the veteran's heart condition, hypertension, thoracic disorder, therapeutic outlet syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis with sinusitis and allergies, and chondromalacia patella of the left knee. The evaluation for low back disability was increased to 20 percent effective from January 1, 1996.

The Board has reinstated the previously assigned 10% disability rating for heart disease and hypertension, effective as of the date the rating was terminated in October 1950.

The VA denied the veteran's request for an increased rating for his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with PTSD, which was currently rated at 30 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's unauthorized hospitalization for coronary artery disease was not covered because no medical emergency existed, and VA facilities were available.

The Board has remanded the case due to new regulations and the need for additional development of evidence, including obtaining medical records from SSA.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an initial disability rating higher than 30 percent for service-connected atherosclerotic heart disease and coronary arteriosclerosis, finding that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is denied as he does not meet the criteria due to his various nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have current disability related to any in-service exposure to carbon tetrachloride.

The Board found that the termination of the veteran's fee-basis outpatient treatment arrangement was proper due to his frequent and numerous visits to VA medical facilities, which demonstrated their geographical accessibility.

The Board found that the veteran's atrial fibrillation is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected bronchiectasis, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to recent changes in VA regulations and because of the veteran's claim not being well-grounded. The case will be reviewed again with additional medical evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor are they proximately due to or the result of his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an abnormality of the liver and spleen, a heart disability, and residuals of Agent Orange exposure. The claim for restoration of a 100 percent rating for residuals of colon cancer was also denied due to clear and unmistakable error in the previous rating decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected poliomyelitis contributed to his death from atherosclerotic heart disease, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen claims for lung disease, heart disease, Crohn's disease, or a back disorder. The claim for a back disorder is reopened, but the veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions of arthritis, diabetes mellitus, and heart disease were not incurred or aggravated in service nor may their service incurrence or aggravation be presumed. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's request for an increased evaluation of his organic heart disease with structural lesion and myocardial damage, currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a change in the law brought about by the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.