Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and cardiovascular disorders are related to his service-connected rheumatic fever, which is presumed due to exposure during active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease is likely due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The issue of hypertension remains pending as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its etiology.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hepatitis C, rheumatic fever, or a heart condition as a result of service. The claims are denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current diabetes mellitus and heart disorder are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for cause of death, nonservice-connected death pension benefits, accrued benefits, and aid and attendance benefits as the veteran's surviving spouse due to lack of evidence linking the conditions causing or contributing to the veteran's death to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's death was caused by deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, which may have been related to his service-connected right knee surgery. The appellant will be given more time to develop medical evidence for the record before a medical opinion is sought from a competent authority.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and an increased rating for post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability to the degree required for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a fractured cheek bone, fainting spells, and heart condition. The denial is based on lack of evidence supporting these conditions during or after military service.

The veteran's lung cancer, which was presumed to have been incurred due to radiation exposure during service, contributed substantially and materially to his death. The appellant is granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death but denied accrued benefits.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for beriberi heart disease as there is no competent medical evidence showing that he currently has this condition.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims of service connection for organic heart disease and hypertension due to inadequate examination in their previous decision.

The veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent from December 1, 2002 to September 2, 2003 and an increased evaluation in excess of 60 percent on and after September 3, 2003 were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for arteriosclerotic heart disease, finding that the evidence did not warrant a rating in excess of 60 percent since January 1, 2004.

The Board finds that the veteran's atherosclerotic heart disease, which is presumed to be service-connected due to his status as a former POW, contributed to his death. The Board grants service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have service connection for any of his claimed disabilities, as there is no evidence showing a relationship between his active military service and these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current endocarditis and valvular heart disease are related to in-service treatment or his service-connected right ear fungal infection.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a local hearing and de novo review. The appellant's claims for increased evaluation of inguinal hernia, bilateral hearing loss, and reopening of heart disease claim are pending.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to his overall functional independence.

The Board is remanding the veteran's claims for additional development due to the complexity of the issues and need for further medical examination.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for atherosclerotic heart disease, status post coronary artery bypass graft surgery, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to, or aggravated by, service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.