Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities, which effectively confine him to a wheelchair and preclude locomotion.

The Board has determined that the evidence submitted since the April 1998 decision supports a finding of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) as secondary to service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, heart disease, COPD, and asthma/bronchitis cannot be granted as they are not shown to have been incurred or aggravated during active duty. The veteran's current conditions are considered to be due to his own use of tobacco products.

The veteran's death was not service-connected as the cause of his death, myocardial infarction due to coronary artery disease, is not shown to have been present until many years after his separation from service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, skin condition, and heart condition due to lack of current medical evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability and diabetes mellitus, including due to exposure to Agent Orange. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for residuals of a gunshot wound to the right ankle are not yet ready for appellate disposition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart disability and residuals of an injury to the right eye were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cardiovascular disabilities, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, and arteriosclerotic heart disease, are not service-connected as they did not arise during or within one year after his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evaluations and clarification of his claims, particularly regarding the relationship between PTSD and his heart conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for atherosclerotic heart disease and TDIU, but denied earlier effective dates. The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection was not supported by evidence received within one year of the August 11, 1994 submission of his claim. For TDIU, the Board found that entitlement arose on February 26, 1996.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and arteriosclerotic heart disease, duodenal ulcer, and hypertension, are evaluated at the highest possible ratings. The total rating based on individual unemployability due to these conditions is granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, finding that neither condition was incurred or aggravated during his periods of active duty for training.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for disability from nicotine dependence or tobacco use, finding no probative evidence showing that his heart disease, lung disease, or other disabilities were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding no evidence linking his death to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially to his death, and therefore grants service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board found that the veteran's coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed due to tobacco use and/or nicotine dependence acquired in service.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for sleep apnea, back, neck and joint problems, heart disease, breathing problems, weight gain, and a seizure disorder due to VA medical treatment was denied. Claims for service connection were also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, arthritis of the hands, benign prostatic hypertrophy, left ankle fusion, anemia, ulcer disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. The appeals were based on direct evidence rather than presumptions or secondary service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery bypass grafts, arteriosclerotic heart disease, and status post myocardial infarction as secondary to his service-connected history of rheumatic fever were denied. The RO granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's history of rheumatic fever residuals effective December 8, 2001.