Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2004

The Board found that the veteran's skin disorder and heart disorder were not incurred in service, nor could they be presumed to have been incurred therein. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for either condition.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease and a bilateral elbow disorder, finding that the veteran did not have current disabilities or sufficient evidence to establish service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and determining if he is receiving Social Security disability benefits.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease and shortness of breath due to tobacco use in service, as well as nicotine dependence. However, these claims are denied on their merits because they were filed after June 9, 2001, which bars benefits based on the effects of tobacco products.

The veteran's death in September 2000 was not caused by or contributed to by his service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and pulmonary tuberculosis.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic bronchitis secondary to the veteran's service-connected sinusitis. The other issues are pending and will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Board is remanding the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to evaluate the veteran's cardiovascular conditions.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, hypertensive vascular disease, and diabetes mellitus as secondary to his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatic fever due to incomplete medical opinions and need for further development.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and found that he did not have qualifying service for nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The veteran's death during a VA hospitalization was not caused by carelessness, negligence, or similar fault on the part of the VA. The cause of death was intractable pulmonary edema due to end-stage congestive heart failure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder, bilateral pes planus, carcinoma of the colon, and various knee and foot conditions. The RO also denied increased ratings for his right knee disability and compensable evaluations for his left clavicle fracture and bursitis.

The veteran's cause of death was due to cardiopulmonary arrest, which resulted from myocardial infarction and ischemic cardiomyopathy. None of his service-connected conditions were found to be the principal or contributory cause of his death.

The RO has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, primarily on the basis that such a disorder has not been shown to exist. The case is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to a lack of recent medical examination.

The Board found no current residuals of rheumatic fever or heart disease, and thus denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and granted a 10 percent rating for his bilateral pes planus. The claim for prostatitis was denied, as there is no evidence of current prostatitis or that it was caused by service. No new rating was granted for the veteran's pes planus.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the veteran's cause of death. The case will be sent back to the RO for this purpose and then reviewed again.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues, including obtaining medical records and conducting an examination for ischemic heart disease. The case is now remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease status post myocardial infarction and coronary artery bypass graft, effective June 5, 1991. The veteran's heart condition is considered secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that the veteran's heart disease, including residuals of a myocardial infarction, originated in service and is therefore granted service connection. The issue of hypertension was also addressed and found to be related to service.