Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the case for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO due to the veteran's request.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension and CAD were not linked to his service, with no evidence of these conditions during or shortly after active duty. The skin disorder was also not linked to service, as there is no indication of exposure to Agent Orange.,There is insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between the veteran's current skin condition and his military service.

The Board found that there is no evidence of shrapnel wounds to the legs in service, and no competent evidence of a nexus between any current arthritis of the legs and the veteran's period of active service. The claim for low back pain with spinal stenosis at L3-5, degenerative disc changes, and facet joint osteoarthritis was also denied as there is no evidence of a chronic low back disorder in service or within one year after service. Service connection for C6 fracture with quadriplegia as secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease and arteriosclerosis, status post coronary artery bypass graft, was denied.

The RO granted initial 10 percent ratings for coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction, as well as residuals of a cerebral vascular accident with hemorrhage, all secondary to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus Type 2. The veteran's claim for increased rating for diabetes mellitus Type 2 was not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have heart disability as a result of VA medical treatment, including medication prescribed in July 1992. Therefore, compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a heart disorder is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart disease, diagnosed as coronary artery disease, was incurred during his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in June 1986. The medical evidence supports this finding, with a diagnosis of coronary artery disease and an acute myocardial infarction occurring shortly after the ACDUTRA ended. As such, service connection is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of metal fume fever and tinnitus, as well as his other disability claims. The decision is final due to lack of appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, vertigo, and a heart disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the veteran was exposed to acoustic trauma during service and experiences a constant ringing in his ears. The other claims are not addressed as they were not decided by the RO.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between service-connected PTSD and the veteran's vascular disease, stroke, and heart attack.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for osteoarthritis of the shoulder and knees. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, including from Dr. Deloria and Dr. Chua-Balmadrid, and to provide the veteran with a VA examination to determine the nature of his osteoarthritis.

The Board has granted a total rating for arteriosclerotic heart disease (ASHD) with hypertension, effective from June 11, 1996. The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease is aggravated by his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability and denied all claims.

The Board found no evidence of a heart disorder or arthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar spine, and hands in service. The veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, PTSD, and irritable bowel syndrome were denied. His claim for bilateral hearing loss was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, low back pain, hearing loss, and residuals of exposure to Agent Orange (including seizure disorder and heart disorders).

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, which he claimed was secondary to his service-connected malaria. The evidence did not establish a causal link between the service-connected malaria and the current heart condition.