Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed COPD, cardiac disorders (including coronary artery disease and mitral valve replacement), and hypertension are not related to his active service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a heart disorder. The veteran's claim is now considered on its merits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's valvular heart disease, claimed as a heart murmur, was not manifested in service and is not related to his military service.

The Board found that the appellant's coronary artery disease is more likely due to risk factors other than smoking, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran meets the criteria for special monthly compensation based on needing regular aid and attendance of another person or being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities, including heart transplant, osteoporosis, and kidney stones.

The veteran's degenerative disease of the lumbar spine with facet arthritis is found to be related to service and/or reported injuries therein, warranting service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not substantially or materially contribute to his cause of death, which was cardiac arrest due to ischemic cardiomyopathy. The VA doctor concluded that PTSD did not play a role in causing or aggravating the cardiovascular problems.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease, finding that these conditions are not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected rheumatic heart disease with mitral stenosis, as the evidence did not show a workload greater than five METs but not greater than seven METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope.

The Board has determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation, and thus denied his claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 60 percent.

The veteran's only service-connected disability (rheumatic heart disease) rated at 100% is sufficient to warrant SMC based on housebound status, as the condition confers a need for regular aid and attendance.

The veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, and his atherosclerotic heart disease/coronary artery disease is currently rated at 60 percent. The appeal for an increased rating above 60 percent for atherosclerotic heart disease/coronary artery disease remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of his death, entitlement to accrued benefits, and basic eligibility for death pension benefits due to lack of evidence linking any disability to service or other qualifying factors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD is likely to have aggravated his pre-existing heart disease, and thus grants service connection for coronary artery disease.

The Board denied the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a heart disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been received.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for PTSD and secondary service connection for a heart disorder as related to pulmonary tuberculosis. The appellant's assertions were not supported by medical evidence, and there was no diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids, service connection for conditions of the right shoulder, bilateral knees, bilateral ankles, bilateral hips, neck, bilateral wrists, right elbow and hand, depression, and coronary artery disease (claimed as heart condition). The sole service-connected disability is noncompensably disabling hemorrhoids. Service connection was not granted for any claimed conditions. The veteran's TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current heart condition and denied service connection for it. The increased rating claim for residuals of a cervical spine fracture is also denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected right knee disorder, as well as secondary service connection for a heart disorder. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.