Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2004

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of a heart disorder and has determined that new evidence supports a finding that his current coronary artery disease is related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VCAA notification and development, as well as the need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence, including a review of service medical records and obtaining treatment records from private providers.

The Board found that the cause of death, end stage Alzheimer's disease (myocardial infarction), was not caused by or substantially related to service-connected disability. The veteran did not have a service-connected disability at the time of his death and there is no evidence linking any of his post-service conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the criteria for a 100 percent rating for service-connected PTSD have been met, and this decision is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and verifying stressors related to PTSD.

The veteran's claim of service connection for mitral valve prolapse, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, is being remanded for further development. The Board also requests a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any heart disability found to be present.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and clarifying whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a stomach disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the veteran experienced a superimposed heart pathology during service and its etiology, and whether he currently has a heart disorder.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and determined that it was incurred in service. The heart disease is found to be proximately due to or aggravated by the service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to ensure that all relevant evidence is considered and to provide proper notice under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary heart disease, hypertension, and an abdominal aortic aneurysm, finding that the proper effective date is September 28, 1998.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's claims for reopening his varicose veins claim and service connection for coronary artery disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder contributed to his death from atherosclerotic heart disease. As such, service connection for cause of death is granted. The DIC claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is moot due to the grant of service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate due to his non-service connected disabilities, finding that he is not in need of such benefits.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension, PTSD, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, are found to be sufficient to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The appeal is granted.

The Board has ordered additional development to be completed, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations. The veteran's claims will be reviewed again after the new evidence is received.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for nicotine dependence and coronary artery disease, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated in service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a heart condition. The Board has determined that the service medical records are unavailable and may have been lost in a fire, requiring further examination to determine if his current heart disability is related to an in-service heart murmur.