Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart disorder and hypertension are related to his active service, leading to a grant of service connection for both conditions.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death from coronary artery disease. The issue of DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is moot due to the grant of service connection for cause of death.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder and left knee disabilities, but granted service connection and assigned 10 percent evaluations each for gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia, musculoskeletal low back pain, postoperative scar on the proximal aspect of the left foot, and a left foot disability (classified as status post arthroplasty with pin fixation of the 2nd digit, osteotomy of the 2nd metatarsal, and bunionectomy).

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and the need for a medical opinion regarding the veteran's heart disorder, including mitral valve prolapse. The case is now remanded for additional development.

The veteran's death was not service-connected, and the Board found that his widow is not entitled to DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 because he did not meet the criteria for a total rating due to service-connected disability continuously from the time of release until death.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal due to his death, and no further action can be taken on this matter.

The Board found that the appellant's heart disease and hypertension did not manifest within one year after separation from active military service, nor were they incurred or aggravated by any incident of active military service. Therefore, the claims for service connection for both conditions are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart condition, finding that the evidence supports this determination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertensive vascular disease, coronary artery disease with chronic ischemic heart disease, and hypercholesterolemia due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected sciatic nerve injury substantially contributed to his death due to coronary artery disease, warranting a grant of service connection for the cause of death.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, including congestive heart failure and dilated cardiomyopathy with syncope and high blood pressure. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has ordered further development due to incomplete records and will review the case again after additional evidence is obtained.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the appellant's diagnosed multi-joint pain is related to Desert Shield/Storm service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for cause of the veteran's death due to lack of evidence linking hypertension, dysentery, and beriberi (to include beriberi heart disease) to service. The appellant is also not entitled to accrued benefits as no claims were pending at the time of the veteran's death.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence and clarification. The case is now being sent back to the RO for development, including a review of the veteran's medical records by an appropriate specialist.

The Board has granted the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, attributing it to arteriosclerotic heart disease related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease, with atrial fibrillation, is of service origin and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, residuals of a fracture of the left ankle, residuals of pneumonia, and bilateral foot disorder. The decision also noted that there was no evidence of chronic increase in severity of preservice pes cavus or fractures during service.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable, as his disabilities are rated at least 60% combined and he has been deemed capable of sedentary work.