Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2003

The veteran's coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction was manifested with a workload of greater than 7 METs but not greater than 10 METs from October 21, 1998 to April 30, 1999. A rating in excess of 10 percent for this period is not warranted.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by or related to service-connected conditions, and denied compensation under U.S.C.A. § 1151 for VA medical treatment.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are not shown to be so disabling as to render him unable to care for his daily personal needs or protect himself from the hazards and dangers of daily living, without regular assistance.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, osteoarthritis of the right shoulder and hands, and cataracts. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of rheumatism.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and hepatitis have not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's dementia requires constant supervision, meeting the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of heart disorder, lumps under the skin, and arthritis of the shoulders due to undiagnosed illness. The evidence did not show a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's coronary artery disease is not attributable to any in-service radiation exposure and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for rheumatic heart disease due to new and material evidence, but further development is needed before a final decision can be made.

The veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, resulting from herbicide exposure, and its secondary conditions was granted. The effective date is not specified as the decision is based on a presumptive condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease and an increased evaluation for bilateral chondromalacia patellae, finding no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and post-operative residuals of a benign tumor in the left lung were not well grounded. As such, they have been denied.

The Board denied an increased rating for ischemic heart disease and did not grant service connection for hypertension.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertensive heart disease, evaluated as 30 percent disabling since July 1990, did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the veteran's disability rating from 100% to 60% is warranted due to his heart condition not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension and heart disease were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied the claim.

The Board found no evidence of organic heart disease or hypertension during service, and the post-service medical records do not establish a link to military service. The veteran's claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute substantially to his death due to an acute cervical fracture, which occurred as a result of falling out of bed.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of peptic ulcer disease, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied. The Board also found no evidence to support direct or secondary service connection for COPD and coronary artery disease due to in-service tobacco use.