Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2005

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any heart disease. The issue of service connection for PTSD will also be reviewed by the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cardiovascular disease and a compensable evaluation for pterygium of the right eye, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service.,Specifically, the Board determined that there was no medical evidence showing a link between the veteran's cardiovascular disease (including hypertension and coronary artery disease) and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a Travel Board hearing between October 16 and May 15, 2005.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a chest injury and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his claim for service connection for a heart disorder, finding that there was no evidence of current disability or residual of a chest injury.

The Board granted the veteran's claim for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, effective from January 31, 2002.

The veteran's heart disease is granted as service-connected.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected chronic anxiety and depressive psychoneurosis did not cause his death from coronary artery disease, as there is no scientific proof linking anxiety disorder to coronary artery disease. The examiner found it speculative to determine if the veteran's anxiety aggravated his smoking habit.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a more recent examination to determine the current level of his arteriosclerotic heart disease.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in order to make a determination on the claim for TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability and a heart disability, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incorrect service dates and needs to provide proper post-VCAA notification.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine the nature and extent of all disabilities present.

The veteran's service-connected coronary artery bypass with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy was rated at 30 percent prior to June 4, 2002. The Board found no evidence of the required criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7017.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for residuals of rheumatic heart disease, finding that the veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's cause of death, cardiac respiratory arrest due to myocardial infarction and arteriosclerotic obstructive coronary artery disease, is found to be service-connected as a former prisoner of war under the amended regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease is due to nicotine dependence that began in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's cause of death was cardiorespiratory arrest due to COPD and a CVA. The service-connected ASHD is presumed to have been incurred during service, contributing substantially to the cause of death.

The VA determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease, which was diagnosed in 1987, is not related to his active service. The Board found no evidence of migraine headaches during service and concluded that there is insufficient medical evidence linking current migraines to service.,Service connection for both coronary artery disease and migraine headaches were denied as the veteran did not provide sufficient medical evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his coronary artery disease and hypertension, as well as his claim for special monthly compensation due to need for regular aid and attendance or being permanently housebound. The veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disorder, to include hypertension.