Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2004

The Board denied the claim for an earlier effective date for DIC benefits, finding that the November 19, 2001 application was the earliest submission indicating intent to apply for DIC benefits.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the veteran died during the pendency of the appeal, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death was not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking his COPD to military service or asbestos exposure.

The Board found that the evidence submitted since the last final VA determination did not raise a reasonable probability of changing the outcome and denied the claim to reopen.

The veteran requested to withdraw his appeal, which the Board accepted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, pulmonary disability (claimed as COPD, pulmonary emphysema, and tuberculosis), and beriberi. The RO is requested to determine whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen these claims.

The VA denied a request for a higher initial evaluation of 30 percent for coronary artery disease, status post coronary artery bypass graft. The current evaluation is considered adequate based on the veteran's symptoms and medical findings.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. His DDD, status post laminectomy, was rated at 40 percent; his coronary artery disease was rated at 30 percent; and his hypertension was rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) and headaches, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board found no evidence of atherosclerotic heart disease during service or within one year post-service, and denied the veteran's claims for service connection as it was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied an increased rating for valvular heart disease and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed disabilities were not incurred as a result of his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The evidence did not establish a link between any of the conditions and his time in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for coronary artery disease and nervous disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has granted the appellant's petition to reopen her claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and a need for further development, including obtaining sick call reports and reviewing the veteran's lipid screening results.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence. The heart disorder, including hypertension, is presumed incurred in service. Cerebrovascular disease with left hemiparesis is not related to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA medical records and ensuring all notification and development action required by the VCAA are fully complied with.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have established service connection for heart disease, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus. The issues of psychiatric disability and flat feet are pending.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that the coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, and ventricular dysrhythmia were not related to his service-connected bilateral trench feet.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing and further development.