Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2002

The Board found that the veteran's CAD with hypertensive cardiovascular disease warranted a 60 percent evaluation from December 30, 1996 to January 11, 1998 under the old rating criteria. Since then, the evidence does not meet the new criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, finding no evidence to support a relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that there was no ascertainable increase in disability sufficient to warrant entitlement to such a rating prior to June 12, 1996.

The Board has granted service connection for recurrent major depressive disorder and hypertensive atherosclerotic heart disease, finding that these conditions are attributable to the veteran's active military service. The claim for an increased rating for inactive tuberculous lymphadenitis was denied.

The Board found that the veteran did not have service-connected disabilities at the time of his death, and thus could not establish service connection for purposes of accrued benefits for heart disease, arthritis, asthma, numbness of the legs and arms, or PTB. The cause of death was listed as cardiopulmonary arrest, but there is no evidence linking this to service.

The veteran's service-connected arteriosclerotic heart disease with hypertension, which was rated at 100% disabling from June 9, 1997 and reduced to 60% in August 1, 1998 due to reduction in service-connected disability rating, allowed the appellant to receive special monthly compensation based on additional independent 100 percent disability for purposes of accrued benefits.

The Board found that VA's care and treatment did not cause the veteran's death, as there was no evidence of negligence or fault on the part of VA in providing medical care. The appellant's claims were denied.

The Board found no competent medical evidence of current disabilities related to the veteran's claimed conditions and denied all claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lung and heart disabilities, finding that new evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen his previously denied claims.

The Board found that the veteran's fatal conditions, including cardiopulmonary arrest, severe coronary artery disease, severe peripheral vascular disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, did not have their onset during service or within a year of separation. The Board concluded that these conditions were not caused by or incident to his military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for hypertension with vascular heart disease and residuals of a right knee injury, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims based on her reserve/National Guard service.

The veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease and malnutrition did not cause his death, nor did they contribute substantially or materially to it. The cerebrovascular accident that led to his death was not caused by any incident of active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the claimed conditions (depression, anxiety, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, stomach disorder, and heart disorder) as secondary to PTSD.

The Board found that the evidence did not establish a causal relationship between service and the veteran's heart disorder, thus denying the claim.

The Board found that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a heart condition. The issue is considered 'mixed' as some issues may be granted while others are denied.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that no service-connected disability caused or contributed to his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and heart disorder did not begin during or as a result of his military service. The psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as personality disorder, was also found to be unrelated to service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of various service-connected conditions were denied by the Board. The cardiovascular-renal disease with hypertension was not rated higher than 30 percent prior to January 12, 1998 and from January 12, 1998 onwards it was rated as no more than Class II consistent with 4 to 5 METs and left ventricular dysfunction. The hiatal hernia was rated as noncompensable before August 1, 2000 and compensable after that date. The right ear otitis externa was not rated higher than noncompensable. Conjunctivitis was inactive and hemorrhoids were not rated higher than noncompensable. The residuals of a fracture of the right fifth metacarpal (Major) were healed and without any objectively demonstrated functional loss.

The Board found that the veteran's anxiety disorder did not cause or contribute to his death, and denied service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD warrants a 100 percent rating, effective October 15, 1996. The claims for service connection for Type II diabetes, chronic lung disorder, chronic skin disorder, and heart disorder are denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents.