Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2006

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to uncertainty in the medical opinions provided and the need for a heart condition examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension, GERD, and COPD as these conditions are not shown to be due to any event or incident of his period of active service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, entitlement to DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, and eligibility for dependents' educational assistance under Chapter 35. The Board also denied her claims for increased evaluations for PTSD and cystic nodular acne with secondary scarring.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, chronic sinusitis, a psychiatric disorder (including post-traumatic stress disorder), a chronic pulmonary disorder, prostatitis with benign prostatic hypertrophy, carpal tunnel syndrome, and heart disease. The appeals were also addressed regarding reopening of claims for arthritis, back disorder, and ulcer.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease as a residual of rheumatic fever and granted service connection for aortic valve replacement due to severe aortic stenosis. Service connection for coronary artery disease was also granted.

The veteran's application for RH insurance was denied because he did not meet the 'good health' criteria, as his nonservice-connected conditions exceeded the allowed threshold.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, coronary artery disease, numbness of the hands and feet, blurred vision, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis did not cause or contribute to his death. The Board also determined that VA medical treatment provided in March 2001 did not result in any additional disability or hasten the veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to lack of evidence linking any condition to service or presumptive exposure to herbicides.

The veteran's death is service-connected for purposes of VA burial benefits due to heart disease and hypertension, which are presumed to be related to his POW status.

The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease with hypertension effective January 16, 1997. The veteran's earlier claim of June 28, 1994, was considered as part of the same appeal process.

The Board has identified that the appellant's claim for DIC benefits is based on two bases: service-connected back disability and negligent medical care. The case must be remanded to consider both claims, including a VA cardiologist's opinion regarding the etiology of the veteran's heart condition.

The Board found that the veteran does not have hypertension or heart disability that is attributable to his active military service. The Board also determined that he does not have residuals of dental trauma for VA compensation purposes.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected PTSD did not cause or aggravate his diagnosed hypertension and coronary artery disease, thus denying both secondary service connection claims.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability evaluation for pension purposes is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evaluations and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The veteran's coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type 2 are currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating for his coronary artery disease. His TDIU claim was also denied as he is not considered unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's heart condition was not found to be caused by VA negligence, and thus he is denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board found that the veteran's lung and heart conditions are not related to his military service, with COPD being more likely due to smoking history rather than asbestos exposure. The heart condition is also not considered secondary to a service-connected disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities for which service connection can be granted, as there is no evidence of any current conditions related to his military service.