Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2004

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that there was no medical evidence linking any incident of his active service to his myocardial infarction. The Board also found that he did not have a permanent and total service-connected disability at the time of his death.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or due to housebound status is being remanded as there are outstanding records that need to be obtained, including VA medical records from a cardiac catheterization performed in February-March 2004. Additionally, a more contemporaneous examination is needed to assess his current disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of pneumonia, a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral avascular necrosis of the hips, and cardiovascular disease. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer of the nose and face, thyroid cancer, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease were denied. The Board found that these conditions did not have their onset during active duty or for many years thereafter, were not disabling to a compensable degree during the first post-service year, and are not etiologically related to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral foot disability did not originate in service and is not otherwise causally related to his military service. The claims for hypertension and heart disease (secondary to hypertension) are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board is remanding the case for further development and consideration of the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease and emphysema secondary to his service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a heart disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his previously denied claim.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for coronary heart disease, status post angioplasty and mitral valve prolapse, finding it secondary to his service-connected inactive pulmonary tuberculosis.

The veteran seeks service connection for heart disease, which he contends is related to his active duty and inactive duty training. The case is being remanded due to the need for verification of these periods and a VA cardiologist's opinion on whether the veteran became disabled from an acute myocardial infarction or other cardiovascular event during such periods.

The veteran is seeking service connection for coronary artery disease, which he claims is caused by his chronic back pain and high blood pressure. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional notification and development under the VCAA.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent disability rating for rheumatic heart disease was denied by the Board.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including arthritis and arteriosclerotic heart disease. The claims were denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or chronic disability within one year post-service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to deficiencies in VCAA notice and for additional development of his medical records, including from private doctors. The veteran is also asked to clarify the status of his representation by Ms. Brown.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death due to coronary artery disease, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination and medical opinion are necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any coronary artery disease present, as well as whether it is related to service. The veteran's complete treatment records must be obtained for this purpose.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his fatal hypertensive cardiovascular disease to his military service or service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection of ischemic heart disease. The veteran's current total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease and pulmonary thromboembolism as secondary to the veteran's service-connected deep vein thrombosis of the left leg.

The VA denied the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 because the evidence does not show that the veteran's death resulted from carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill on the part of VA in providing medical treatment.