Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2006

The Board denied the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a heart condition on a direct or secondary basis, finding that no new and material evidence had been received.

The veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant is not entitled to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not establish a link to service or service-connected conditions. The claim for PTSD was granted at a 10% disability rating and later increased to 50%. No new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the sinusitis/pharyngitis claim.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have current service-connected arteriosclerotic heart disease or pulmonary tuberculosis, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for CAD, including as secondary to rheumatic heart disease. The new evidence submitted by Dr. Fingleton supports a finding that the veteran's CAD is related to his service-connected rheumatic heart disease.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

For the period from October 15, 2001 to April 1, 2003, the veteran's PTSD was not productive of severe social and industrial impairment.,After April 1, 2003, the veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Board finds that the veteran does not require aid and attendance of another person due to his disabilities, including diabetic retinopathy which resulted in blindness in one eye. Therefore, he is denied special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a disability manifested by hypertension or heart disease. The veteran's PTSD claim was remanded for further development and review, as the in-service stressors need to be verified. The glaucoma and early cataracts claims are related to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the appellant forfeited her rights to VA benefits due to submitting a fraudulent joint affidavit. The case is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and requests for additional development.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by any service-connected disability, including his heart disorder.

The veteran seeks service connection for coronary artery disease, which he claims was aggravated by his military service. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and conflicting medical opinions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for nicotine dependence, pulmonary disorder, heart disorder, and low back disability. The decision also noted that new evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for a low back disability but ultimately denied it on the merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for arteriosclerotic heart disease, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disability, GERD, and COPD as secondary to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for peripheral neuropathy is pending, and obesity does not meet VA criteria for an injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for diabetes mellitus, a heart disorder, and liver and pancreas disorders due to lack of evidence showing causation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cardiovascular disorder, including hypertension, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for a seizure disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, and DEA benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and records. The veteran's death is being considered as a cause of death issue, but DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 remains pending.