Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2005

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence showing a direct relationship between his service-connected shrapnel wounds and his subsequent heart disease, cirrhosis, and gastrointestinal disability.

The veteran's death was due to a service-connected peptic ulcer, but no accrued benefits are warranted as there was no pending claim at the time of his death.

The VA found no evidence of carelessness, negligence, or fault on the part of VA in providing hospitalization and surgical treatment. The veteran did not develop increased cardiovascular disability as a result of this treatment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a heart disorder, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish a link between his service and any diagnosed condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of evidence, including verification of service dates and obtaining original service medical records. The veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and heart disease are pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease and residuals of frostbite of the hands and feet were not incurred in or aggravated by military service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred in service. As such, both claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's heart disease and chest pain are considered additional disabilities resulting from VA treatment, and he is granted compensation for these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking his current heart condition to his service-connected asthma.

The veteran's claims of service connection for back disorder, skin rash, heart disorder, and headaches have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, this evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and her military service.

The VA denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, concluding that no service-connected disability caused or contributed to his death.

The veteran seeks service connection for coronary artery disease, residuals of pacemaker implant, and history of myocardial infarction. The case is being remanded to determine the date(s) of any acute myocardial infarctions and whether they occurred during qualifying service.

The Board found that the veteran's heart disease was not incurred or aggravated by his military service, including active duty for training (ADT), and thus denied his claim.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and has also determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for heart disease. The Board found that the veteran's currently diagnosed heart disease was manifested within one year after his active military service, and thus is presumed to have resulted from service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to determine if the veteran's heart disease with hypertension is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type II. The RO must also issue a Statement of the Case addressing the increased rating claim for DM II.

The veteran's multiple non-service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death (pneumonia, congestive heart failure due to atherosclerotic heart disease, and diabetes mellitus) is not related to service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 11, 1983, for a 100 percent rating for his service-connected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with bronchial asthma and heart disability was denied as the earliest ascertainable increase in disability occurred on May 11, 1983.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for compliance with VCAA notice and duty-to-assist provisions, as well as additional VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death and his spouse's DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 due to a lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities were continuously rated as totally disabling for at least ten years prior to his death.