Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2004

The veteran was granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent rating effective from March 1, 2002. The RO also denied service connection for high cholesterol, depression, stomach disorder (Gastroesophageal reflux disease), headaches, sinus disorder (other than deviated nasal septum), residuals of cold injury, and heart disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and needs further investigation before a decision can be made.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death, and there was no evidence of a service connection for the cause of death. The Board denied the claim.

The VA determined that the veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor could it be presumed to have been incurred due to a disease or injury during service. The Board found no evidence linking the current condition to any pre-existing condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis, coronary artery disease (CAD), left foot and left big toe disorders, and right elbow disorder. The evidence did not establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his heart disease and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 14, 2000 for the award of a 60 percent evaluation for ischemic heart disease and a total rating for compensation based upon individual unemployability.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, concluding that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the 1996 rating decision. The evidence did not show a causal relationship between the veteran's service-connected asthma and his death or any other condition listed on his death certificate.

The veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, hypertension, COPD, gastroesophageal reflux, sarcoidosis cyst of the left adrenal gland, splenic cystic lesion, kidney cystic lesion, organomegaly, spinal cord tumor, spinal injury, foot drop, claw foot, hammertoes, gunshot wound residuals, and nephritis. The appeal is being remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance due to lack of evidence showing he is in need of regular aid and attendance.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not granted any of the claims. The veteran's pleurisy and left spontaneous pneumothorax are considered to be unrelated to his active service. His arteriosclerotic heart disease with angina and hypertension were also denied as new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims. The veteran's pleural changes or fibrosis, claimed as due to asbestos exposure, have been reopened but the Board has not granted this claim either.

The veteran's heart disorder was initially rated at 30 percent prior to November 6, 1995 and then increased to 60 percent from that date. The effective dates for these ratings are December 6, 1988 and November 6, 1995 respectively.,From August 17, 1999 onwards, the veteran's heart disorder was rated at 100 percent.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected neurocirculatory asthenia, but the case needs further development to determine if other conditions are related to his service connection.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his duodenal ulcer was granted, but the appeals for secondary service connection for heart disease and respiratory disorder were denied.

The veteran's service connection claims for a heart disability and left knee disability have been granted. The issues of initial ratings for cervical spine condition, pes planus, and bilateral hearing loss are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and informing the appellant of her responsibilities in providing or identifying any competent medical evidence that could support her claim.

The veteran's claims for knee disorders, ankle disorder, heart disorder, and erectile dysfunction were granted based on direct service connection. Seasonal allergic rhinitis was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board finds that the cause of the veteran's death, probable myocardial infarction due to coronary artery disease, is related to his service-connected disabilities. The Board concludes that these service-connected conditions did not contribute substantially or materially to the cause of death.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA Social and Industrial Survey to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unable to work.

The veteran is seeking service connection for coronary artery disease, which the Board has remanded due to incomplete evidence and a need for further development.