Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran's appeal of service connection for heart disease secondary to service-connected varicose veins is dismissed due to a lack of jurisdiction over the issue.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cardiovascular conditions of coronary artery disease, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation as secondary to his service-connected residuals of a fracture of the left femur. The TDIU rating claim was also denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease, including heart disease secondary to beriberi, is denied. The propriety of the 50 percent rating assigned for PTSD prior to April 1, 1998, and the propriety of the 70 percent rating assigned for PTSD as of April 1, 1998, are also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by or related to his service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for a lung disability and a heart disability, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for the cause of his death. Additionally, the appellant does not meet the requirements for dependents' educational assistance.

The Board found that the veteran's cardiovascular disorders were not incurred in service and did not cause his death. The decision is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected PTSD did not substantially or materially contribute to his death. The cause of death was determined to be nosocomial pneumonia, which began many years after service and was not caused by or incident to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on her need for regular aid and assistance due to multiple physical and mental disabilities.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a heart disorder, thus granting the veteran's petition to reopen.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of rheumatic heart disease and service connection for residuals of brain tumor. The veteran's rheumatic heart disease was evaluated as 30 percent disabling, but no higher rating was granted due to lack of evidence showing more severe symptoms. Service connection for the brain tumor was also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease with hypertension, finding that no new and material evidence was presented to reopen the final denial from August 1997.

The Board finds that the veteran's residuals of rheumatic fever do not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and thus denies an increased rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the veteran's death, and the RO is directed to vacate its previous decisions regarding service connection for heart disease.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension, coronary artery disease, and vertebral-basilar artery atherosclerotic disease are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected anxiety disorder with dysthymic disorder.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the knees and arteriosclerotic heart disease, finding that these conditions are not due to or aggravated by service-connected rheumatic fever.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for dorsal spine disability was denied. The VA rated the condition as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5291.,The veteran's claim of compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for coronary artery disease, status post angioplasty and bypass grafting was also denied. The VA determined that the surgery did not cause additional disability.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for a heart condition and also denied the claim for service connection for rheumatic valvulitis on the basis of aggravation.