Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2002

The veteran's death was due to his service-connected conditions, and he required the regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board found that the criteria for payment of accrued benefits based on a claim of entitlement to special monthly compensation were met.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the veteran died during the pendency of the appeal and thus lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate the claim.

The Board found that the veteran's death was caused by tobacco use during service, which contributed to his atherosclerotic heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The VA examiner opined that nicotine dependence likely began in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease, finding that he did not incur or aggravate a heart condition during his active duty service and that there was no evidence of myocardial infarction or cardiac arrest on INACDUTRA.

The veteran's coronary artery disease was evaluated at a 30 percent rating from September 5, 1991 to January 26, 1999. From January 27, 1999, the VA determined that the condition warranted a 100 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by his service-connected conditions, including varicose veins.

The Board found that the veteran's fatal cardiac disease had its onset during his period of active service, and granted service connection for the cause of death.

The veteran became unemployable due to service-connected disabilities in October 1993, and his TDIU claim was granted with an effective date of July 26, 1995. The 60 percent evaluation for residuals of aortic aneurysm was also granted with an effective date of January 26, 1999.

The veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus was granted due to presumed exposure in Vietnam. The Board also noted the presence of other conditions but did not address their specific service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, osteoarthritis (claimed as rheumatism), residuals of an injury to the chest, arms, and legs, and bronchitis were denied because there is no current disability or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation by reason of need for regular aid and attendance or being permanently housebound was denied as there is no evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities are the cause of his inability to dress, feed himself, attend to wants of nature, or require care on a regular basis.

The Board denied the reopening of claims for service connection for pneumonia, coronary artery disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease with hypertension, finding that the veteran's current condition is not linked to his active military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected rheumatic heart disease does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as it is currently manifested by mild aortic valve incompetence without significant hemodynamic effect on ventricular function.

The veteran died as a result of complications from coronary artery bypass graft surgery at the VA Medical Center, which was not reasonably foreseeable. The Board finds that DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are granted.

The veteran's claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied because there is no medical evidence showing that he currently has a heart disorder or cardiac pathology as a result of treatment from VA in 1992.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of his death and for death pension benefits due to insufficient evidence supporting these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected heart disease with coronary bypass and hypertension did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, thus denying his claim for an increased rating.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the appellant did not file a timely substantive appeal for the denial of service connection for coronary artery disease.

The Board found that the veteran's current cardiovascular, low back, and left leg disabilities did not result from the October 10, 1991 TURP performed by VA. The additional disability was determined to be unrelated to the treatment provided.