Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2003

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have contributed substantially or materially to his death from coronary artery disease. The claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is moot.

The Board has determined that the veteran's ischemic heart disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including ischemic heart disease, malnutrition, ulcer, and fracture as residuals of inhumane treatment, are not service-connected. The decision is based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for ischemic heart disease, which was previously denied in November 1996. The veteran's testimony during his July 2001 hearing and statements from fellow POWs supporting his claim have provided significant new information.

The veteran's appeal was denied for all issues on appeal. The RO found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings for his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are reasonably associable with nicotine addiction acquired during active military service.

The Board dismissed the veteran's claim for fee-basis outpatient chelation therapy as it is beyond the jurisdiction of the Board to review medical determinations.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected myocarditis did not contribute substantially or materially to his cause of death, coronary artery disease. The Board also determined that there was no evidence linking the veteran's service to his coronary artery disease.

The Board found no evidence of current heart, cervical spine, thoracic spine, or eye disabilities related to service. The veteran's claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder and lipoma under the right arm, but reopened claims for left foot injury and bilateral foot disorder. The veteran's current conditions do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and heart disorder, finding no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Board found that the veteran's current heart disorders are not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder, right hip disorder, asthma, and lumbosacral strain. The effective date of service connection for asthma was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly compensation by reason of need for regular aid and attendance or being permanently housebound due to his service-connected ischemic heart disease, finding that he did not meet the criteria for either condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition as secondary to PTSD and for a total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including GSWs to both legs and left thigh, heart disorder, lung disorder, kidney disorder, back disorder, hearing loss, foot disorder, and knee disorder. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to address his claims for a higher rating for arteriosclerotic heart disease and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Board is considering whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatic heart disease. The issue of service connection itself remains unresolved.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and they are not proximately due to a service-connected disability. The claim for diabetes mellitus was previously denied as not well grounded.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his cardiovascular disease, to include hypertension and atherosclerotic heart disease.