Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2005

The veteran's coronary artery disease and hypertension are found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction with ischemic heart disease, status post angioplasty and coronary artery bypass graft as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or due to housebound status is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The VA determined that the veteran's cardiovascular disability is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected back disabilities, and thus denied the claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and the residuals of frostbite. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service or any herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective October 15, 1997 based on the veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and other disabilities. The effective date for tinnitus was also granted as of October 15, 1997.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability evaluation for rheumatic heart disease with aortic stenosis was granted, and he is now receiving a 60 percent rating effective from September 6, 2004.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that it was incurred as secondary to in-service tobacco use. The heart disorder issue remains pending and will be addressed at a later stage.

The Board has determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected obstructive airway disease with bronchiectasis and bronchial asthma. However, it has been established that the veteran's service-connected obstructive airway disease with bronchiectasis and bronchial asthma aggravates his coronary artery disease such that there is a definite, permanent increase in the cardiac disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, hypercholesterolemia, right knee and leg disorders, left shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder. The reasons are that there is no evidence of these conditions during service or a link to service.

The veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and CUE in a January 1999 rating decision are being remanded due to the need for VCAA compliance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right and left knee disabilities, a heart condition (intermittent sinus tachycardia), a left arm disorder, hemorrhoids, shin splints of both legs, and bronchial asthma. The decision also noted that no cardiovascular disease was found during service or subsequent examination.

The Board found that the veteran's lumbar spine disability and coronary artery disease were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board found that the veteran did not knowingly make or cause to be made a false or fraudulent affidavit, and thus forfeiture of his rights to VA benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 6103(a) is improper.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's cause of death, finding no evidence that his cardiovascular accident was related to his service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart disability was aggravated during active military service, and therefore service connection is granted.

The Board has received notification of the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a heart disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been received since the previous denial in June 1992.