Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2005

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's heart disorder to his service-connected nicotine dependence or use of tobacco products during service. The Board also found that the veteran does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease ratings, finding that no evidence was provided to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death was not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a hearing at the RO in St. Louis, MO before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of death due to new and material evidence. The veteran's service-connected heart disease, hypertension, and other conditions are found to have contributed substantially to his death.

The VA failed to provide proper care during the unsuccessful sternal rewiring procedure, resulting in a staph infection and subsequent heart condition. However, the proximate cause of these disabilities was not due to VA's negligence or fault.

The veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and his accrued benefits claim for a higher rating on the merits is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected hypertension and coronary artery disease with abnormal EKG, asymptomatic associated with hypertension as there is no evidence of more than the currently assigned disability levels.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are denied as new and material evidence was not presented to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss. The heart condition, high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), bilateral shoulder condition (rotator cuff, tendonitis), arthritis, and foot condition were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right leg disability, heart disability with fatigue and hypertension, chronic sinusitis, left shoulder disability, glaucoma, headaches, PTSD, residuals of head injury, and residuals of a nose injury were all denied as not related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review of the medical records to determine if there is a relationship between the veteran's coronary artery disease and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of September 2, 2003 for a 60 percent evaluation for hypertensive heart disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a heart condition, including coronary artery disease, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and entitlement to DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that the veteran's cardiovascular conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that neither ischemic heart disease nor chronic renal failure were incurred in or related to service.

The veteran's death was not caused by any condition incurred or aggravated during his service with the U.S. forces from 1942 to 1946, and no other conditions were found to be related to his military service.

The veteran's cause of death, cardiorespiratory arrest due to hypertensive heart disease and cerebrovascular accident (CVA), is found to be service-connected. The appellant is not eligible for accrued benefits as her claim was filed more than one year after the veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the July 2001 rating decision is not new and material, and therefore, the claim for service connection for coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction may not be reopened.

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