Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current heart condition or cardiomegaly, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The veteran's ASHD is rated at 30 percent, and his degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is rated at 20 percent. The rating for ASHD remains unchanged, while a higher rating was granted for the lumbosacral spine.

The veteran's cause of death was listed as cardiogenic shock due to myocardial infarction due to severe 3 vessel coronary artery disease. The Board found no evidence that the cardiovascular condition was incurred in service or related to any service-connected disability, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board found that the veteran's coronary artery disease did not originate in service or within one year of service, and was not caused or chronically worsened by his service-connected PTSD. Therefore, service connection for CAD is denied.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim of entitlement to specially adapted housing for further development and readjudication.

The veteran's cause of death is listed as cardiac arrest due to or as a consequence of ischemic cardiomyopathy and arteriosclerotic heart disease. The appellant claims that the veteran's service-connected PTSD disability was a contributory cause of his death. The Board has ordered additional development, including obtaining medical records from private physicians and hospitals, and requesting a VA medical opinion on whether the veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to or aggravated his cardiovascular disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and determining if the veteran wants a Travel Board Hearing.

The Board found no evidence linking the cause of the veteran's death to any service-connected condition, resulting in a denial of the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disorder and denied benefits pursuant to the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability involving a left wrist fracture, claimed as aggravated by July-August 1991 VA treatment/omission of treatment.

The veteran's cause of death was listed as cardiopulmonary arrest due to end stage coronary artery disease.,The appellant seeks service connection for the cause of her husband's death and DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, finding that it was decided on the merits without any presumption or new evidence.

The Board found that the reduction of the veteran's disability rating from 100 percent to 60 percent was not proper and restored his 100 percent schedular rating for coronary artery disease status post bypass graft times 2.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural and developmental matters, including clarification of representation, obtaining medical records, and issuance of a supplemental statement of the case for his claim of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease.

The veteran's peptic ulcer disease, arteriosclerotic heart disease, dysthymic disorder, right knee injury, and sleep apnea were not incurred or aggravated during his military service. The Board found that the lack of treatment for these conditions for many years after service weighs against their claims.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not related to active service.

The VA medical records do not support the appellant's claims that the veteran died due to lack of proper medical care, insufficient nutrition, unnecessary surgery delays, or inadequate bathing. The Board finds no evidence to warrant compensation under Section 1151.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death was not related to his service-connected disabilities.,The appellant did not meet the requirements for eligibility for dependents' educational assistance benefits under Chapter 35.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for memory loss due to undiagnosed illness as there was no controversy. The heart disorder (cardiomyopathy) is denied because it is not related to active duty and more likely due to radiation and chemotherapy from a non-service-connected condition.

The Board has denied service connection for a bladder disability, as secondary to nicotine dependence. The remaining issues of service connection for nicotine dependence and respiratory/heart disabilities (including hypertension) are pending.