Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2006

The Board has denied service connection for coronary artery disease and angina, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of April 22, 1999 for a 100% disability rating for rheumatic heart disease.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of DIC benefits, finding that the earliest possible effective date is August 2, 2001.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension on account of being housebound or in need of aid and attendance of another person is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either status based on his multiple disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and arteriosclerotic heart disease with coronary artery disease, as well as a tender and painful scar, all of which were found to be not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The veteran's request for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA nonservice-connected pension benefits in the amount of $7,379.00 is being remanded due to a change in his financial situation and service connection for coronary artery disease.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, status post coronary artery bypass graft surgery, as secondary to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus Type 2.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease are denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The veteran is seeking an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for arteriosclerotic heart disease. The case has been remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide proper VCAA notice regarding effective dates.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current heart condition is not related to his military service and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and earlier effective dates have been granted. The appeals are now pending before the Board.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased rating for diabetes mellitus and service connection for a heart condition due to potential issues with scheduling an examination and obtaining medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed heart disease.

The veteran died from coronary artery disease, which the VA examiner determined was not related to his military service. The Board found that there is no evidence of a connection between the veteran's death and his service.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death, myocardial infarction due to or as a consequence of coronary artery disease, was not caused by or contributed substantially or materially to his death. The service-connected disabilities did not play a role in causing his death.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a heart disorder as a complication of a VA colonoscopy in June 2000 is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for clarification of his hearing requests and scheduling a personal hearing via videoconference.

The Board has granted service connection for nicotine dependence, coronary artery disease (CAD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and peripheral vascular disease as secondary to the veteran's nicotine dependence.