Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2006

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a heart disorder, finding that the claim was not properly filed before the original denial and subsequent denials. The effective date is set at October 30, 2002.

The veteran is seeking service connection for coronary artery disease, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another, or at the housebound rate is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia, undifferentiated type. However, the claims of service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, a left leg disorder, and bilateral pes planus remain denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease, finding no evidence of these conditions during active duty or a continuity of symptoms since separation. The appellant's assertions are not considered competent medical evidence.

The veteran's appeal was denied for service connection for atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, renal cell carcinoma, allergic reactions, and a chronic disability manifested by infected lymph nodes due to secondary exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB).

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for disability of the mitral valve, but not for any other heart disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing and further development of his claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions to determine if the veteran's heart disease and erectile dysfunction are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple issues, including heart condition, hypertension, skin condition, hearing loss, and disabilities related to exposure to herbicides. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and an increased rating for her adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current heart disease to a service-connected disability, and the adjustment disorder did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeals of the claims for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and coronary artery disease, both claimed as secondary to tuberculosis.

The veteran's application for Service Disabled Veterans Insurance (RH) was denied because he did not meet the standard of 'good health' as defined by VA guidelines, due to his non-service-connected conditions including heart disease, COPD, and bladder cancer.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease, finding that these conditions are secondary to the veteran's service-connected PTSD. The effective date of the special monthly pension by reason of being housebound remains under review.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied because there is no competent evidence showing that VA providers were at fault in the treatment, resulting in additional disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and addressing the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, gall bladder disease, and diabetes mellitus. The appeal is currently pending.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance of another person (A&A) due to his disabilities, including COPD, CAD with CABG, PVD, hypertension, arthritis, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not show that any disability rendered him so helpless as to require the regular A&A of another person.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to meet its duty to assist, specifically in obtaining service medical and personnel records. The veteran's claim for service connection on the merits will be readjudicated.