Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2002

The Board denied the veteran's request for an effective date prior to February 26, 1997, for service connection for heart disease (as aggravated by post traumatic stress disorder).

The veteran's multiple health conditions, including bradycardia, coronary artery disease, hypertension, aortic valve replacement, joint disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and knee joint replacements, severe congestive heart failure, Alzheimer's with agitation features and dementia, render him in need of aid and attendance of another person and housebound. As such, the veteran is granted special monthly pension based upon the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected arthritis did not contribute substantially or materially to his death, and denied both claims for service connection.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for valvular heart disease, including rheumatic heart disease with pericarditis and effusion. The veteran's extensive cardiovascular issues were found to be dissociable from his service-connected residuals.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, concluding that there was no evidence linking his cancer to service exposure and that he did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The veteran died of coronary artery disease and pulmonary emphysema, neither of which are attributable to his military service. The Board found that nicotine dependence did not develop during service and is not considered a service-connected condition.

The Board has granted an increased disability evaluation of 50% for PTSD from January 18, 1994 to September 24, 2000 and a 100% disability rating for PTSD beginning on September 25, 2000.

The Board dismissed the appeal as to the issue of a compensable rating for coronary artery bypass graft residuals for the period from July 22, 1991, to May 27, 1997.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's rheumatic heart disease with aortic insufficiency, currently rated at 60 percent.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her husband's death and eligibility for dependent's educational assistance, finding that the veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disability or due to tobacco use during service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and a heart condition secondary to his service-connected hypertensive vascular disease. The claim for an increased rating for hypertensive vascular disease was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes mellitus were not incurred or aggravated during his active service or a period of active duty for training. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiovascular disorder, including arteriosclerotic heart disease and hypertensive vascular disease, finding that his current cardiac disability did not manifest during or within one year after his separation from active service.

The Board found that the cause of death was not related to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a heart disorder, finding that the new evidence submitted was not material and did not show a link between the condition and military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left lung virus, heart disease, and arthritis of the arms, legs, and hips. The Board found that these conditions are not related to his period of active service.

The veteran's March 16, 1990 correspondence is considered an informal claim for service connection for heart disease. The Board has granted this claim and assigned an effective date of March 16, 1990.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease, subcutaneous lipomas, and swelling of the legs. The claim for increased evaluation for PTSD was granted but not appealed.

The Board denied a claim for an increased disability rating for arteriosclerotic heart disease and hypertension, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to December 22, 1999.