Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran developed a major depression due to service in Southwest Asia, and therefore service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is granted.

The veteran's coronary artery disease and hypertension are currently rated at 60 percent. The Board found the evidence did not warrant an increase in this rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart disability and gallbladder removal residuals are service-connected, with a maximum 30 percent rating for the latter.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for hyperlipidemia and hypertension was dismissed due to the withdrawal of his substantive appeal.

The Board found that the veteran's fatal pulmonary embolism and coronary artery disease were not due to his military service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection for cause of death.

The VA determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease and hypertension do not warrant a higher rating, as his condition is stable with no significant episodes of acute congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The issue is now before the RO to determine if service connection can be established.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease.

The Board found no evidence that the veteran's current cardiovascular disorders were incurred during service or due to his service-connected rheumatic heart disease. Therefore, service connection was denied for all claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and heart disease are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately following service. The VA examiner concluded that the current conditions are more likely idiopathic.

The Board denied the application to reopen the claim for service connection for the cause of death and also denied accrued benefits based on the veteran's lifetime claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease is found to have contributed substantially or materially to his death, which occurred in September 1999. The Board grants the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the appellant's CAD is aggravated by his service-connected rheumatic valvular disease, and thus grants service connection for CAD as secondary to the service-connected condition.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the veteran's heart disorders and their relationship to service-connected hypertension.

The veteran's service connection for hypertension and paroxysmal atrial tachycardia was granted, but the effective date is May 17, 1993. The initial evaluation for hypertensive heart disease was increased to 60 percent as of January 12, 1998.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development to verify in-service stressors and determine if the veteran has PTSD based on verified stressors. The RO should also consider service connection for lung disease and organic heart disease.

The Board found that the veteran's cardiovascular disorder, including coronary artery disease and hypertension, was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not proximately due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's seizure disorder is not service-connected and does not meet the criteria for pension eligibility based on unemployability due to non-service connected disabilities. The veteran was denied both claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for heart disease, finding no evidence of current heart disease and no relationship to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension. Further medical development is needed to determine if the veteran's heart disease is related to service.