Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2005

The veteran's claims for PTSD and coronary artery disease were denied as the evidence did not support service connection for either condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and a heart condition, finding no new and material evidence presented to reopen the claim for a back condition. The heart condition was also not found to be related to active service.

The veteran's rheumatic heart disease, now characterized as cardiomegaly, results in a workload of greater than 5 METs but not greater than 7 METs. The condition has not resulted in congestive heart failure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for chest pain and heart disease cannot be granted as there is no evidence showing a direct relationship between his in-service complaints and his current conditions. The veteran's heart disease was not present during service, nor can it be linked to any event or condition therein.

The veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and bilateral eye disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion on the etiology of his conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no evidence of a chronic heart condition or hypertension in service. The current diagnoses were not linked to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and secondary disabilities, finding that his diabetes was not related to herbicide exposure but rather due to prednisone treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. The secondary disability claims were also denied as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to the primary condition of diabetes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart disease, including congestive heart failure, was caused by his service-connected hyperthyroidism and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran did not submit a notice of disagreement within one year of notification of an October 1991 RO rating decision denying service connection for various conditions. The evidence received since then was not new and material, thus the claims were not reopened.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder and did not grant an increased rating for PTSD.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board found that the veteran's coronary artery disease is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected malaria, and denied both his claim for secondary service connection and his request for an increased evaluation for malaria.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals dismissed the motion seeking review for clear and unmistakable error in a January 20, 2004 decision granting an effective date of June 5, 1991 for service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his premature death.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected heart disease contributed to his death, but denied eligibility for VA death pension benefits and accrued benefits due to lack of legal merit.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension with dizziness, coronary artery disease, and loss of consciousness as the evidence did not show a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The veteran's appeal of his claim for service connection for thyroid cystic lesions has been withdrawn. The Board is dismissing the appeal.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of the issues raised.

The Board has determined that the veteran's essential hypertension and chronic heart disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor may they be presumed to have been so incurred. The veteran's current conditions are also not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by a service-connected disability.