Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2003

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, a low back disability, and heart disease.

The Board has received notification from the appellant that they wish to withdraw their appeal, including all issues listed on the front cover of this decision.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for sinusitis, atypical chest pain, hypertension, a heart condition, goiter of the throat, and low back disorder due to lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure as secondary to his service-connected rheumatic mitral stenosis.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding an increased disability rating for a heart disorder. The case is now remanded back to the RO for additional examination and consideration.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding new and material evidence. However, the Board did not reach a final decision on whether the veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death or if there was any other basis for granting service connection.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder and compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for heart disability, as well as TDIU benefits. The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to make a fair adjudication.

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 care or assistance on a regular basis. Therefore, he is not entitled to additional special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case is now being sent back to the RO for the requested development.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his non-service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing heart condition was aggravated by a VA procedure in December 1993, resulting in additional heart disability. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is granted.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for hypertensive heart disease effective August 24, 1998. The issue of tonsillitis was part of a separate appeal and is not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that the veteran did not meet the criteria due to his service-connected disabilities being rated as totally disabling but not receiving compensation at the time of death.

The Board has granted service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and denied service connection for a hearing loss disability. The veteran's claims were based on his POW captivity, but the denial of both conditions is due to lack of edema during captivity for heart disease and no competent medical evidence linking current hearing loss to service.

The veteran's service-connected heart disability is currently rated at 60 percent, and prior to January 12, 1998, was rated at 30 percent. The Board has determined that the current rating of 60 percent is appropriate.

The Board has granted service connection for a myocardial infarction incurred during INACDUTRA in November 1994. The issue of service connection for coronary artery bypass graft surgery as secondary to the myocardial infarction is not addressed due to the grant of service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability and granulomatous disease, finding no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after military service. The initial ratings assigned for bilateral tendinitis of the thumbs, possible essential tremors of both hands, and bilateral heel spurs are also not ready for appellate disposition.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and heart disease, finding that these conditions began during the veteran's active duty. The TDIU rating issue is remanded to assign a percentage disability evaluation.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding service connection for coronary artery disease and pleurisy. The case is now remanded for additional evidence collection and VA examinations.