Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2003

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case is now being remanded to the RO for specific actions, including requesting SSA records and arranging a cardiology examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to coronary artery disease being aggravated by the veteran's service-connected PTSD. The appellant is also found eligible for dependents' educational assistance under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code.

The Board has remanded the case due to new legal requirements under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The appellant and his representative will have an additional year to respond to any VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently shown rheumatic heart disease had its onset during service and is therefore granted service connection.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's current heart disorder is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the veteran's heart disability, as the current evaluation does not accurately reflect its severity.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have established rheumatic heart disease, and therefore cannot be granted an increased rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection of coronary artery disease, which was previously denied. The medical evidence now supports a finding that the veteran likely had ischemic coronary artery disease prior to discharge from active service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for dependency and indemnity compensation benefits, finding that such a date is legally precluded due to the finality of the Court's April 1998 decision affirming the Board's denial of service connection for cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his conditions were not related to his military service.

The Board determined that the evidence prior to April 1, 1999 did not warrant restoration of a 100% disability rating for arteriosclerotic heart disease.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending evidence and procedural issues. The case is now being remanded for additional medical examination and records review.

The veteran's nonservice-connected conditions, including senile dementia, require the need for regular aid and attendance of another person to qualify for special monthly pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting an increase in SMC to a higher level.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case is now being sent back to the RO for obtaining medical records and arranging a special VA examination.

The veteran is seeking to reopen his claim for service connection for beriberi heart disease, which includes ischemic heart disease. The VA has requested that the veteran provide evidence of localized edema during captivity as a former POW and also request medical opinions from treating sources.

The Board denied reopening of the service connection claims for heart disease and headache disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's ischemic heart disease, which was a primary or contributory cause of his death, began during active service as the result of his POW experience. The criteria for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death are met.