Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2005

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, which is more than the current 10 percent rating. The criteria for this increased rating are met based on the veteran's documented workload of greater than 7 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope.

The veteran's claim for service connection for atherosclerotic heart disease was granted effective August 17, 2001.,The veteran's claim for individual unemployability was also granted effective August 17, 2001.

The veteran's cause of death was listed as coronary artery disease, but the VA examiner found that rheumatic heart disease was a contributory factor. The case is being remanded for further review and clarification.

The Board finds that the veteran's heart murmur, coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction, and blindness are not related to his active duty service. The evidence does not establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active military service and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found no evidence of current heart disease or arthritis, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II, and coronary artery disease as secondary to herbicide exposure. The RO had already granted these benefits with an effective date of April 30, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including chronic back disorder, left hip disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral foot disorder, are not service-connected. The heart disease is also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current heart disorder is not related to his active service and denied his claim.

The veteran's medical condition, due to multiple service-connected disabilities, resulted in him being unable to walk without assistance and requiring a wheelchair. The Board finds that his loss of use of both feet meets the criteria for SMC based on accrued benefits purposes.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and psychiatric condition. The RO denied these claims in October 1993, finding no evidence of such conditions during service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, arthritis of the cervical spine, arthritis of the right thumb, and arthritis of the left thumb. The veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional clarification of medical opinions and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for nicotine dependency and coronary artery disease, finding that there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's ischemic heart disease, which contributed to his death, is service-connected due to his internment as a POW.

The Board found that the veteran's current heart disabilities are not etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a heart condition, finding that there is no evidence of an increase in disability prior to March 25, 2003. The effective date for his increased rating for post-traumatic stress disorder was set at March 25, 2003.

The veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder did not play a role in his death, nor was it causally related to any of the conditions that led to his death. The Board denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of death and the DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension with hypertensive heart disease, finding no evidence of a nexus to military service or diabetes mellitus.,Service connection was also denied for residuals of a herniated disc of the lumbar spine due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claims for service connection for back disability and heart disease are being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical examinations.