Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current heart disorder, back disability, neck disability, bilateral shoulder disability, or residuals of asbestos exposure. The claim for PTSD is denied as there is no credible evidence supporting the occurrence of an in-service stressor.

The Board finds that the veteran's current heart disability and atrial septal defect, which is congenital, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's coronary artery disease is not significantly related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and was more likely due to other significant risk factors.

The Board found that the cause of death, cardio-respiratory failure due to a cerebral vascular accident, was not caused by or substantially contributed to by any service-connected disability. The appellant's allegations regarding POW-related disabilities were insufficient to establish service connection for the cause of death.

The Board found that the veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease was not caused or made worse by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found no evidence of current coronary artery disease and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease are service-connected, with hypertension having its onset during service. The veteran's coronary artery disease is considered secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and determined that there is a causal link between the veteran's chronic prostatitis during active duty and his fatal prostate cancer. The Board also found that the appellant is entitled to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease, which contributed to his death, was incurred in service and is therefore service-connected. The appellant is entitled to VA dependency and indemnity compensation.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to metastatic prostate cancer and ischemic heart disease, finding that these conditions are related to the veteran's service-connected heart disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for accrued benefits in excess of $324.00, finding that she is not entitled to such benefits as she is neither the surviving spouse, child, nor dependent parent of the deceased veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, with significant occupational and social impairment.

The veteran's appeal is about his service-connected valvular heart disease and the need for a new examination to determine cardiac function and METs level. The RO should clarify whether he wishes to pursue the issue of residuals of a stroke.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and eligibility for dependent's educational assistance under Chapter 35, Title 38 United States Code.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and non-VA medical records, as well as a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board finds that the veteran's heart disorder, diagnosed as cardiomyopathy, was incurred during his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in June 2000. The condition is presumed to have developed due to a viral etiology and not pre-existing.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death, recurrent cardiac dysrhythmias, ischemic heart disease, and coronary artery disease, was not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected heart disease contributed to his death from non-service-connected COPD, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's hypertensive heart disease, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a copy of the appellant's stress test and scheduling him for a VA compensation examination. The appellant may have raised new claims regarding sleep apnea and should clarify which ones he wishes to pursue.