Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2006

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for VA financial assistance in purchasing an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his heart condition did not warrant a higher rating prior to January 12, 1998, or after that date. The psychiatric disorder was also found unrelated to any service-connected disability.

The Board found that the veteran's heart condition is not service-connected and denied his claim, concluding that it was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's appeal of the claim for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal at a Travel Board hearing. The remaining issues regarding hepatitis B and heart disability are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a heart condition due to new and material evidence, but finds that there is no current disability and the heart condition was not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service.

The veteran's claims for recognition as a former prisoner of war, service connection for heart disease, lung condition, and hearing loss were denied. The claim for service connection for left eye vision loss was not addressed in this decision.

The VA determined that the veteran's atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, including his myocardial infarction, warrants a disability rating of 60 percent effective November 12, 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected conditions, including hypertensive arteriosclerotic heart disease, degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, arthritis of the right shoulder, maxillary sinusitis, and right inguinal hernia. The assigned disability ratings were not higher than what was currently in effect.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and his claim for total disability based on individual unemployability is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hypertension and coronary artery disease are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for heart disease and back disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating or service connection.

The Board finds that service connection is warranted for myocardial infarction with triple vessel bypass heart surgery, as the evidence is in relative equipoise regarding its origin during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of new and material evidence, specifically regarding his claim for recognition as a prisoner of war (POW) status. The RO previously denied this claim in February 2000, and no new or material evidence has been submitted since then.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a chronic heart disorder. The case is now remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the veteran's coronary artery disease and PTSD.

The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to be the proximate cause of his current coronary artery disease. For the period prior to March 19, 2004, and for the period beginning on March 19, 2004, the veteran's adenocarcinoma of the prostate is rated at 20 percent and 40 percent respectively.

The Board has denied an increased rating for anxiety reaction and service connection for hypertension and heart disorder as secondary to the veteran's service-connected anxiety reaction. The case is remanded for further examination and development of records.

The veteran seeks service connection for cardiovascular disease, including residuals of a myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain missing service medical records and an updated VA examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a heart condition, both claimed as secondary to PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are either caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The VA has determined that the veteran's current coronary artery disease is not related to his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.