Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2005

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death, ventricular fibrillation due to coronary heart disease, was not caused by or related to his active service. The contributing condition, Crohn's disease, also did not have a direct link to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied service connection for the cause of his death. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to VA treatment was also denied.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The Board concluded that the veteran's terminal atherosclerotic heart disease was not initially manifested during his military service or for many years thereafter and was not otherwise causally related to his military service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension and heart disease, which he claims are related to scarlet fever treated during military service. The VA has requested a remand for further examination and opinion.

The veteran's organic heart disease, which is a presumptive service connection condition for former POWs, contributed to his death. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of claims.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a low back disability is denied. The Board finds no evidence of an intent to file a claim for a low back disorder prior to his discharge from active duty in October 2000.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed heart and respiratory disorders were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor could they be presumed to have been caused by service. The evidence did not support a finding of chronicity in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension, coronary artery disease, and enlarged heart were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board found no evidence that the veteran's death was caused by a service-connected disability or due to an in-service injury. The cause of death, respiratory failure due to congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease, is not considered to have resulted from personal injury suffered or disease contracted during his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital due to lack of prior authorization and because VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims for service connection.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and conducting further examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of the appellant's claims, particularly regarding his exposure to herbicides and the relationship between his current disabilities and service.

The veteran's death was due to a service-connected cause, specifically atherosclerotic heart disease that he developed while in captivity as a POW. The claim for accrued benefits and VA pension is denied because the veteran did not have qualifying service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease and heart disease, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any incident therein.

The veteran's cause of death, atherosclerotic heart disease, was caused by his service-connected arteriosclerotic heart disease.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart condition is being remanded due to his request for a personal hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of gout, and the cardiovascular and back conditions are not addressed in detail.

The Board has determined that the veteran is competent for VA benefits purposes and restored his competency status.