Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2004

The Board found that the veteran's death was not attributable to any service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death (congestive heart failure) was not caused or contributed to by any service-connected disability. The claim for DIC benefits and DEA eligibility is denied as there are no service-connected disabilities found to have caused or contributed substantially to the veteran's death.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from engaging in substantial and gainful employment.

The veteran is seeking service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and peripheral vascular disease as secondary to his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus. The Board has determined that further development is needed before a decision can be made.

The Board finds that the veteran's death was due to atherosclerotic heart disease, which is presumed to be linked to his service as a prisoner of war. The appellant's claim for accrued benefits is also granted.

The veteran's CAD, status-post CABG with a history of hypertension is currently rated at 60 percent disabling. The VA determined that the evidence does not support an increase in disability rating beyond this level.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a left upper leg gunshot wound, coronary artery disease, and type II diabetes mellitus. The RO previously denied these claims in September 1991 without reopening them due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a service-connected hypertension, heart disorder, or bilateral leg disorder. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Board found that the causes of the veteran's death were not related to his military service and denied both claims for non-service-connected pension benefits and for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the serviceman's death, finding that no service-connected disability caused or contributed to his death.,The claim for accrued benefits was dismissed as it was not filed within one year of the serviceman's death. ,The appellant's basic eligibility for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied due to her husband's recognized guerrilla service in the Philippines, which did not qualify him for such benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the veteran's coronary artery disease is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The RO must obtain an addendum from the examiner who conducted the January 2002 VA heart examination, or another qualified examiner if necessary.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, Raynaud's disease, lung disease, and arthritis of the feet as these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening his service connection for hypertension, stomach and intestinal disorder, heart disease, and nerve problems and somatization disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to reopen her service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that new and material evidence was not received.

The Board denied the claim as there was no service-connected disability and no evidence linking the cause of death to in-service exposure or any other condition.

The Board denied service connection for a throat condition and a heart condition, finding no evidence of current disability related to military service.

The veteran's service-connected organic heart disease, which includes both rheumatic and arteriosclerotic conditions, is rated at 100 percent disabling.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that are secondary to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Board has determined that additional development is needed before a final decision can be made.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim of service connection for heart disease, including residuals of a myocardial infarction, has been submitted. The appeal is granted.