Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2005

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's heart disorder was not incurred or aggravated during his period of active service. The pre-existing congenital heart condition noted at entry into service did not undergo an increase in severity during service, and there is no evidence to suggest it was aggravated by service.

The Board found that the veteran's current heart disorder did not begin during service or due to any incident of service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, duodenal ulcer, hyperthyroidism, and prostatitis.

The Board granted a 60 percent rating for arteriosclerotic heart disease and found the veteran unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, granting TDIU.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease. The RO granted service connection for multiple foot disorders, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, tinnitus, and chronic gastritis, but did not address whether these conditions alone render the veteran unemployable.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected rheumatic heart disease with post-rheumatic pericarditis did not cause or result in his claimed cardiovascular disorders, and denied both his claim for service connection and his request for an increased evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's heart disorder is related to service, and a VA medical examination is needed.

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the appellant is not entitled to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted, allowing the veteran's claim for service connection to be reopened. The coronary artery disease is found to be of service origin.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to arteriosclerotic heart disease, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to service.

The veteran's nicotine dependence is not service-connected, and his coronary artery disease, hypertension, and cerebrovascular accident residuals are also not service-connected. The VA does not owe compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for the claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to uncertainty regarding the veteran's current condition and the need for additional medical opinions.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person was denied as he is not in need of regular aid and assistance due to his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the cause of death was coronary heart disease, and COPD is listed as a significant condition. The veteran's service records do not show any findings related to cardiovascular or pulmonary disorders. Service connection for ischemic heart disease was denied in June 2001. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is denied.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a combined rating of at least 60 percent, which is required to establish entitlement to non-service-connected pension benefits.

The Board has denied all service connection claims for various conditions, finding no competent evidence of current disabilities related to the veteran's recognized military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and a cardiovascular disability, both on a secondary basis to his service-connected duodenal ulcer.,A rating of 20% for the veteran's duodenal ulcer was granted.

The veteran's ischemic heart disease is currently rated at 60 percent, and the Board has granted this rating. The case was previously remanded due to an inadequate VCAA notice.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to address the relationship between his service-connected duodenal ulcer and his claimed heart disease and respiratory disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from the Red River Army Depot and providing a VA physician with an opinion regarding the onset of hypertension in service and its relationship to the cause of death.