Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current heart disorder or skin disorders, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, as the veteran's hypertension was attributed to various factors unrelated to his military service.

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

The Board found that the RO's initial grant of service connection for nicotine addiction and chronic bronchitis was clearly erroneous, and thus severed this service connection. The veteran does not have hypertension or heart disease related to military service or service-connected disability. He also does not have an acquired psychiatric disability, hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, or dizziness that are related to military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his heart disability.

The Board found that a disability incurred in or aggravated by service neither caused nor contributed substantially or materially to cause the veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, including as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not show any in-service exposure to herbicides or continuous symptomatology of these conditions post-service.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural deficiencies in VCAA notice, and further development is required.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and a psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service. The Board also dismissed the issues regarding reopening previously denied claims of service connection for back, left leg, and right leg disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and seeking information from a physician at the Centers for Disease Control regarding potential links between herbicide exposure and the veteran's pancreatic cancer. The appeal is pending further action.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability and found that he did not meet the basic eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board granted service connection for prostate cancer as secondary to exposure to herbicide agents, but denied service connection for chronic lung disorder and chronic skin disorder. The heart disorder issue remains pending.

The Board determined that the veteran's heart disease and prostate cancer were not related to service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, finding that it was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected anxiety disorder and treatment for dermatophytosis and tinea cruris.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for ischemic heart disease and irritable bowel syndrome with hookworm disease have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's claims for service connection for pancreatitis, type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and kidney stones are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board finds that the veteran is not recognized as a former POW for VA purposes and thus does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection based on prisoner of war status. The veteran's claims for service connection for malnutrition, ulcer disease, heart disease, and PTSD are also denied.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for mesothelioma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and coronary artery disease as these conditions were not shown to be related to military service or any presumptive exposure. The veteran's death was caused by mesothelioma with COPD listed as a contributing condition.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical evidence and review the claim for service connection of hypertension and heart disease as secondary to service-connected anxiety disorder.