Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2001

The veteran's heart condition was rated at 100% effective March 24, 2001. Separate ratings of 20% were assigned for peripheral vascular disease affecting the right and left upper and lower extremities as of January 14, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for heart disease, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence from a Holter monitor and other legal changes. The veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease, which is secondary to his service-connected deep vein thrombosis of the left leg, will be reconsidered.

The veteran's claim for payment of unauthorized private medical services is denied as the first criterion for payment under VA regulations has not been met.

The Board found that the veteran knowingly presented false and fraudulent statements in support of his claims for service connection, leading to forfeiture of all VA benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for rheumatic heart disease, finding that there is no current evidence of service-connected disability and thus denying the claim.

The veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating, service connection for myocardial infarction and coronary artery bypass graft with hypertension secondary to PTSD, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The veteran was granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance, effective February 25, 1998. His diabetes mellitus with retinopathy disability rating was rated as totally disabling.

The Board denied service connection for heart disability, right lower leg circulatory disability, and left groin disability as secondary to the veteran's service-connected gunshot wounds. The evidence did not support a finding that these disabilities were caused by or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the February 2000 VA cardiology examination report and a need for additional development under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The veteran's claim for VA prescription drug benefits was denied because he is not housebound or in need of regular aid and attendance, which are the only conditions under current law that qualify him for this benefit.

The Board found that the veteran's heart disease, arthritis of multiple joints (excluding right ankle and ring finger), and lung disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The appeal was denied for all issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current disabilities, including residuals of a metallic fragment in his chest and coronary artery disease, are related to service. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board dismissed the motion to revise or reverse the February 1998 decision denying service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease due to the death of the veteran.

The veteran was granted special monthly pension benefits at the housebound rate for the period from March 1, 1998 through July 21, 1999 due to having hypertension and coronary artery disease rated as 100 percent disabling.

The Board found that the November 1995 rating decision denying service connection for various conditions was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his cervical spine disability.

The RO denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, and reopening her claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, making the issue moot.

The Board granted service connection for nicotine dependence and COPD as secondary to the veteran's service-connected conditions, but denied an effective date prior to May 4, 1998.,Service connection was also granted for heart disease as secondary to nicotine dependence and COPD, with a denial of an earlier effective date due to the filing being after June 10, 1998.,The veteran's heart disease is found to be secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the appellant's current heart disorder, including atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, was not incurred or aggravated by his military service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The medical evidence did not link the current disability to his active duty.