Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2003

The Board found that the appellant's November 2000 Substantive Appeal was timely filed, addressing both his heart disability service connection issue and the denial of a compensable evaluation for residuals of left pneumothorax with ventilatory insufficiency. The appeal is granted on these issues.

The November 9, 1990 rating decision denied service connection for hypertension and heart disorder due to lack of evidence of chronic conditions during or following service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and severity of his heart disorder and cervical spine disability.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for PTSD and found that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to service. The heart disorder claim is pending as it relates to reopening.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a heart disability, finding no credible evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service.

The Board found that the veteran's coronary artery disease was not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, and thus denied the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, with some issues being granted but others remaining denied.

The veteran's death was caused by acute myocardial infarction, which resulted from coronary artery disease. The Board notes that the immediate and ultimate causes of the veteran's death were identified as acute myocardial infarction due to or as a consequence of coronary artery thrombosis. Service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted, but eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C.A., Chapter 35 is denied.

The veteran's claim for a 100% rating for coronary artery disease with hypertension was granted in December 2000, effective October 13, 2000. The appellant is seeking an earlier effective date based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the initial decision of December 1986. However, due to the law disallowing accrued benefits for a deceased veteran's CUE claim, the appeal is denied.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding service connection for psychiatric and heart conditions. The case is now remanded for additional examination and consideration.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and a low back disability. The case is now remanded for additional evidence collection and examination.

The Board denied the appellant's service connection claims for various conditions, finding that his military service with the New Filipino Scouts did not qualify him for VA nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board found that the veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his claim of service connection for a heart disorder, resulting in a denial.

The Board has determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease is proximately due to his service-connected duodenal ulcer, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50% effective from October 3, 1997, and at 100% effective from June 10, 2000. The RO also granted a higher rating of 70% for his PTSD.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case is now being sent back to the RO for specific actions, including requesting December 2002 records from Hemet Valley Medical Center and arranging a VA cardiovascular evaluation.

The veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected back disability, which precludes him from obtaining or maintaining any gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disability and hypertension, finding that the veteran's left ventricular hypertrophy is due to service. Service connection for post-traumatic headaches was also granted with an initial rating of 10 percent.

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