Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2002

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by any disability incurred in or aggravated by service, including Agent Orange exposure. The appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and DEA benefits under Chapter 35 were denied.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his service-connected disability did not cause or contribute to his death and that there was no evidence linking any clinical manifestations in service to his later diagnosed conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's early episode of coronary artery disease, including hypertension, was incurred during his period of active duty for training.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a heart disorder due to new and material evidence, including opinions from private physicians indicating possible aggravation of the veteran's preexisting rheumatic heart disease during his military service.

The veteran's application for Service Disabled Veterans' Insurance (RH) was denied because his non-service-connected conditions exceeded the required threshold of 'good health,' as determined by VA under its insurance guidelines.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death. The basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35 was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD aggravated his hypertension and arteriosclerotic heart disease (ASHD), thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for coronary artery disease and hypertension, and also denied service connection for a right shoulder disability. The claim for TDIU was not addressed in this decision.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for a higher rating of his service-connected coronary artery disease, and there are no remaining allegations of error of fact or law for appellate consideration.

The Board found no evidence of a cardiovascular disease during service or within one year after discharge, and concluded that the veteran's current heart condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has granted a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD, effective from the date of the decision. The heart disability is not service-connected.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a heart disorder due to new and material evidence submitted by the veteran. The claim is granted as there is competent evidence showing a current diagnosis of a heart disorder that was present during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 11, 1996, for the award of service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease (ASHD) with hypertension. The decision stated that there was no legal basis for entitlement to benefits prior to the date of receipt of his initial claim.

The veteran's nicotine dependence, coronary artery disease including myocardial infarctions, and hypertension are all found to be related to his service. The Board granted the veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for heart disease with hypertension, finding that there is no evidence relating this condition to his active military service.

The veteran's lung cancer is presumed to be due to exposure to ionizing radiation in service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The other conditions are not presumed to be due to exposure to ionizing radiation in service.

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

The Board denied service connection for a cardiac disability and hypercholesterolemia, finding no evidence of current disabilities or those incurred in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected rheumatic heart disease, finding that the condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new VA rating criteria.

The veteran's service-connected first degree A-V block and CABG residuals have been rated based on the severity of his symptoms and functional limitations. The issues related to the A-V block were granted increased ratings, while the issue regarding the CABG residuals was also granted an increased rating.