Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2003

The Board has reopened the appellant's claims for service connection for residuals of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, but denied them on their merits. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence submitted by the appellant.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of providing for his own daily self-care or from protecting himself against the hazards and dangers of daily living without the assistance of another person. He is not a patient in a nursing home.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his passing, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of his claims.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart condition was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The veteran's appeal is granted, with a 100% disability rating for coronary artery disease from February 26, 2003. The evaluation of the veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and chronic lumbosacral strain are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, heart disease and hypertension are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing in-service onset or exposure to herbicides. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for heart disease that may be related to her service-connected PTSD. The Board has decided that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded to the RO.

The veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher 100 percent rating should be granted for the full period of appeal.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional medical records and examinations. The case will be returned to the RO for these actions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease (CAD) and hypertension, a laceration to the head and severe headaches, and left upper lobe granuloma as a result of exposure to herbicides are granted.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case is now being sent back to the RO for development, including obtaining a METs level from the veteran's March 2001 VA examination and conducting a cardiovascular examination if necessary.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease secondary to PTSD is granted effective from November 1, 1993. The case is now remanded for rating assignment and consideration of an earlier effective date for total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and thus denied both his claim for service connection for the cause of his death and his DIC claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board determined that the veteran's atherosclerotic heart disease is not due to service or any event in service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the previously denied claims of service connection for a heart disorder and PTSD. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case due to pending requests for evidence and clarification. The appeal is currently remanded for additional examinations and consideration of the claims.

The veteran's unconsciousness and unresponsiveness were due to a combination of his service-connected heart and diabetes problems, which qualified him for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at Mercy Hospital and Rehabilitation Center from April 4 to May 22, 2001.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending evidence and regulations changes. The case is now remanded for additional development by the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance, finding that he does not meet the criteria due to his ability to perform daily activities independently.