Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2004

The veteran's claims for service connection have been denied, and the dental trauma claim is not reopened. The heart disorder claim due to Agent Orange exposure has also been denied.

The Board has restored the veteran's 60 percent disability evaluation for organic heart disease with coronary artery bypass graft residuals and myocardial infarction residuals, finding that improvement in his condition does not warrant a reduction.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for memory loss, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and muscle pain and weakness. The decision also noted that the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his muscle condition was granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, arteriosclerotic heart disease with coronary artery disease, and a tender and painful scar. The Board found no persuasive medical nexus evidence linking these conditions to his active military service or to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board's November 1956 decision denying restoration of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatic heart disease is revised to grant such connection as if it had been granted at the time.

The veteran's cervical spine disability was granted effective March 11, 1993. The claim for an earlier effective date of November 9, 1993 is granted as this is the earliest date on which it is ascertainable that his disability warranted a 60 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA cardiologist's opinion on whether PTSD contributed to or aggravated the veteran's heart disease and death.

The veteran's heart disorder claim has been reopened, but the right shoulder injury claim remains denied. The Board found new and material evidence for the heart disorder claim.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current hiatal hernia or heart disorder, and the veteran's service records do not show any such conditions. The claim for service connection for a heart disorder, to include CAD, is remanded for further review.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated in active service.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between any of these conditions and his military service or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current seizure disorder and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The heart disability issue remains pending as there are insufficient medical records to determine its etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting opinions regarding the relationship between the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and his current coronary artery disease. Additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records and clarifying the time of onset of the veteran's diabetes.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability and denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of death and the DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board found that the veteran's coronary artery disease and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated during service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred due to his military service. The claim was denied.

The Board has granted the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a heart disability, finding that new and material evidence has been received.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and service connection for hypertension, a right leg disability, a heart disability, and poor circulation in the right leg. The evidence did not support the veteran's assertions that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature, etiology and approximate onset date of the veteran's hypertension and heart disease. The veteran's service records show multiple high blood pressure readings during active duty, but no specific diagnosis of hypertension until several years after separation from service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. The veteran was not diagnosed with either condition during her active duty or reserve service, and there is no current evidence of a disability to support these claims.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertensive heart disease and myositis of the right shoulder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from identified providers.