Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2004

The Board denied the appellant's claim for accrued benefits as there was no pending claim at the time of her husband's death, and the cause of his death (coronary artery disease) did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection of a heart disorder, which was previously denied in April 1946. The decision is based on evidence provided by the veteran alleging his current heart condition was aggravated during service.

The veteran seeks service connection for secondary conditions related to his PTSD, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, an aneurysm, and a left above-the-knee amputation. The Board has ordered additional development as the current evidence is insufficient to determine the etiology of the veteran's hypertension.

The veteran's combined nonservice-connected disability rating is 80%, which does not meet the threshold requirement for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, finding no evidence of its onset during or immediately after service and insufficient medical evidence linking it to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various gastrointestinal and cardiovascular conditions were denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities related to his service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart disability is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of heart bypass surgery, hypertension, and PTSD due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.,The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, hemorrhoids, and skin rash were also denied as a result of his failure to appear for the examinations.

The Board found that the veteran does not require daily personal health care services or daily skilled services, and thus is not in need of regular aid and attendance for special monthly pension purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of frostbite and secondary service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD). The issue of entitlement to a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The veteran died from a heart condition, but there is no evidence linking his death to military service. Therefore, the claim for DIC benefits and Chapter 35 education assistance are denied.

The veteran's death was caused by atherosclerotic heart disease, which is not service-connected. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's multiple chronic conditions, not related to his service, require the regular aid and attendance of another person. His effective date for special monthly pension benefits is set at January 31, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran experienced an acute myocardial infarction during a period of inactive duty for training, and service connection is granted.

The veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease and a recognized period of prisoner of war status is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed conditions, including whether they are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information in the record regarding the veteran's medical needs and whether VA facilities are capable of meeting those needs. The veteran is service-connected for PTSD and arteriosclerotic heart disease.

The Board found that the veteran's current cardiovascular problems are not related to his military service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease and myocardial infarctions were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's rheumatic heart disease with mitral valve disease, status post mitral and aortic valve replacement was incurred in service.