Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2005

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence indicating the veteran acquired a chemical addiction to nicotine (i.e., nicotine dependence) as a result of his service in the military, or that use of tobacco products during service caused his terminal arteriosclerotic heart disease. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death was denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of a heart disability, as new and material evidence has been received. However, it was determined that the current heart disability (coronary artery disease) is not related to his in-service left bundle branch block or any disease or injury in service.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease are not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease was not incurred or aggravated during service and cannot be presumed to have been incurred due to a known pre-existing condition. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's postoperative rheumatic heart disease is aggravated by service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for heart disease, but also noted that the veteran's current application was based on a diagnosis of heart disease dating back over two decades after his military discharge. The decision is considered mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's coronary artery disease and subarachnoid hemorrhage resulting in cerebral vascular accident and left-sided weakness are not proximately due to or worsened by his service-connected thyrotoxicosis with fatigue and protrusion of the eyes.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder, to include coronary artery disease (CAD), finding that there is at least an approximate balance of evidence supporting the relationship between the veteran's current CAD and his elevated cholesterol levels during service.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to his service-connected anxiety with depressive and post-traumatic stress features substantially or materially contributing to his death.

The Board denied service connection for fractured teeth (other than tooth number 8) due to dental trauma and for a heart disorder with hypertension, finding no evidence of such conditions during or related to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for vascular/coronary artery disease and residuals of a stroke, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and generalized arteriosclerosis is being remanded to the RO for further adjudication.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for rheumatic heart disease status post aortic valve replacement, status post mitral valve replacement with history of atrial fibrillation.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart condition, and a headache condition. The veteran's schizophrenia was found to be not proximately caused by or due to any service-connected disability. His heart condition and headache were also not shown to have been incurred in service.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the issues of service connection for heart disease, chronic cough, and cholesterolemia.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development including obtaining SSA disability determination and medical records, and readjudicating both claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, cerebrovascular accident with stroke, residuals of a dental, jaw, and maxofacial injury, and nicotine dependence. The evidence submitted did not provide sufficient new and material evidence to reopen any of these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability and for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss. The initial non-compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, but not before July 1, 2003. For the period prior to July 1, 2003, the veteran did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss. For the period beginning July 1, 2003, he did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran requires aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities, but does not meet the criteria for SMC on account of being housebound.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and notification of the veteran's claims.