Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2006

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection of beriberi, heart disease, gouty arthritis, and malnutrition were not substantiated by new and material evidence. The appeals were denied as there was no established link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the cause of death was not related to service-connected conditions, and denied all claims.

The Board denied a higher initial rating for coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction and coronary bypass graft, finding that these conditions did not have their onset during active service or within one year after separation from service, or result from disease or injury in service. The Board also found that they were not caused or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's current heart disorder did not arise in service and was not caused by any incident of service. The claim for service connection for a heart disorder is denied.

The Board has ordered the RO to obtain VA and private medical records related to the veteran's PTSD and cardiovascular disease, as these records may impact the adjudication of his claims. The case will be returned for further action.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied in May 1992. The Board held that the denial was due to clear and unmistakable error, and established service connection for hypertension and heart disease effective September 1991. Accrued benefits were paid from September 1, 1997, through August 1, 1999.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hiatus hernia with reflux and vascular calcification of abdomen, urethritis, squamous papilloma (claimed as nose cancer), headaches, hemorrhoids, ankle and leg weakness, neck pain, hypertension, heart disability, diabetes mellitus, and multiple cancers. However, the claims are not granted due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any incident thereof.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for service-connected ischemic heart disease, currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of prostate disorder, hypertension, heart disease, or soft tissue sarcoma. The claim for service connection for broncho/lung disease is pending.

The veteran's heart condition is not productive of more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year, or a workload of greater than three METS but not greater than five METS resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope. Therefore, an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his heart condition is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, including as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorders, and for section 1151 benefits for a right elbow condition. The evidence did not support a finding of a current heart condition or a right elbow disability that was related to military service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the inextricability of issues and need for a statement of the case on service connection for coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction and bypass graft as being proximately due to PTSD. The initial evaluation issue remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease, which was diagnosed after service and is not related to his diabetes mellitus or any other incident of service, does not qualify for service connection as secondary to his service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and have denied all of his claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and higher initial evaluations for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine if his service-connected recurrent atrial fibrillation has aggravated his non-service-connected coronary artery disease, and whether he should be granted service connection for this condition.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to insufficient evidence showing that his heart disability was caused by VA treatment, as it is attributed to a pre-existing condition.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU, as his combined rating is at least 70% and he has other non-service connected conditions affecting his employability.