Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected schizophrenia did not cause, hasten or contribute to his death from severe coronary artery disease and diabetes.

The veteran's rheumatic heart disease with mitral insufficiency is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is appropriate based on his current symptoms.

The veteran's heart disease and chest condition are not considered to be additional disabilities resulting from VA treatment or surgery, as they were pre-existing conditions that worsened due to the procedures.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current heart disorder or sinus disorder and therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board denied the claim to reopen service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that no new and material evidence had been presented.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of a right leg injury or a heart disorder related to his service. The RO's original evaluations for hiatal hernia, gastroesophageal reflux, status post appendectomy; left carpal tunnel release; and right carpal tunnel release are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for head injury residuals and hypertension and heart disorders, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for head injuries. The Board also found that these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied an increased initial rating for postoperative coronary artery disease with hypertension effective prior to January 12, 1998. The veteran's cardiovascular disability was rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Codes 7101 and 7005.

The veteran's service-connected and 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 disabilities substantially contributed to his death from congestive heart failure, which was the immediate cause of death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease and anemia, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cardiovascular disorder and psychiatric disorder are not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected disabilities, including residuals of a left knee meniscectomy with degenerative joint disease, right ankle disorder, and lumbosacral strain.

The Board finds that the veteran's heart disorder and hypertension are not related to his service-connected bronchiectasis with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the evidence submitted since the RO's August 1983 denial is not new and material, thus denying the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a heart disability.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted. The multiple subcutaneous lipomas claim resulted in a 30% rating, while the kidney disorder secondary to hypertension claim was denied as there is no current kidney disability. The heart disease claim received various increases in ratings over time.

The Board found that the veteran's nicotine dependence and smoking tobacco use during service caused his atherosclerotic heart disease, which led to his acute myocardial infarction resulting in his death. As such, he was granted service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disability, including arrhythmia and ventricular tachycardia, effective from May 11, 1983. The veteran's claim arose on that date based on a VA Holter monitor test conducted in May 1983.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 22, 1999 for the grant of a 100 percent disability rating for rheumatic heart disease.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected coronary artery disease and hypertension, finding that both conditions do not warrant evaluations in excess of their current ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an organic heart disorder and for a compensable rating for his service-connected neurocirculatory asthenia, finding that there was no evidence of such disorders in service or related to service.

The veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected coronary artery disease was granted, but the RO reduced the rating to reflect that the disability existed prior to his second period of active service. The veteran also sought an earlier effective date for his total rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.