Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2003

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded to the RO for additional development.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for COPD and Arteriosclerotic heart disease, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and the veteran's military service.

The Board denied all service connection claims and increased ratings claims, finding no current diagnoses for the claimed conditions and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between any of the conditions and active service.

The Board denied the appellant's request to reopen her claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a heart disorder due to new and material evidence, but has not yet decided whether service connection should be granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 because the VA's decision not to accept his transfer from another hospital did not result in additional disability, and thus did not meet the requirements of the statute.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by a disability incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The criteria for entitlement to Chapter 35 educational benefits have also not been met.

The VA has determined that the veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease warrant a 30 percent evaluation, which is the current rating for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction, finding that his heart condition did not worsen during periods of active duty or training.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of left leg neuropathy and special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance. The veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for these benefits.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The veteran's need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is denied as he can dress, undress, feed himself, attend to his wants of nature, and protect himself from hazards without the need for another person.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound, finding that she does not meet the criteria due to her physical abilities and mobility.

The Board granted a 60 percent rating for valvular heart disease effective January 3, 2002. The veteran's TDIU claim was also granted.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for arteriosclerotic heart disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under either the former or revised rating criteria.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for rheumatoid arthritis of the cervical spine and denied a compensable rating for rheumatic heart disease.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertensive heart disease and diastolic cardiomyopathy warrant a 30 percent disability rating, but not higher. The veteran is also entitled to a separate 10 percent rating for his hypertension.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of residuals of septoplasty, service connection for hypertension with heart disease, and service connection for bilateral myopic presbyopia. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the service-connected residuals of septoplasty, as there was no evidence of marked interference with employment or frequent hospitalizations due to this condition. For hypertension with heart disease, the Board concluded that it was not incurred in service and could not be presumed based on exposure to Agent Orange. The veteran's bilateral myopic presbyopia was determined to be a refractive error rather than an injury or disease resulting from service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for cardiac arrhythmia and arteriosclerotic heart disease. The evidence shows that the veteran's current conditions, which he contends were aggravated by his military service, existed prior to service but worsened during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease are caused by his service-connected PTSD, granting the claim for service connection.