Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2006

The Board has remanded the case due to a further duty to assist in obtaining medical records and terminal hospital records. The appellant seeks service connection for the cause of her husband's death, which was caused by severe coronary artery disease.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for coronary artery disease, finding that the veteran's condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's valvular heart disease was not present in service or within one year of separation, and is not etiologically related to service. Therefore, service connection for valvular heart disease was denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lung and heart conditions, flat feet, left ankle disability, DJD of the right knee, and dermatitis due to mustard gas exposure. The claims were not reopened as new and material evidence was not provided.

The Board has determined that the veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease is of a severity consistent with no more than one episode of congestive heart failure in the past year, or a workload of 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope. As such, an initial evaluation in excess of 60 percent for arteriosclerotic heart disease is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's CAD currently results in an overall disability picture that more nearly approximates the criteria for a 30 percent rating, thus restoring the original 30 percent rating. The veteran's claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient notice and development, including obtaining SSA records.

The veteran's current arteriosclerotic heart disease was not manifest in service or within one year of service discharge and is unrelated to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has directed that the case be remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of rheumatic fever, including rheumatic heart disease, and for rheumatoid arthritis are on appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart disability, including arteriosclerosis, was not incurred or aggravated by his military service and therefore denied his claim.

The veteran's widow is not found to be in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound due to her disabilities, thus denying the special monthly pension.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding whether his current condition is related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, hemorrhoids, and left leg disability. The claim for service connection for an asbestos-related disability (COPD) was denied as there is no evidence of exposure to asbestos in service or a relationship between COPD and service. Service connection for aggravation of flat feet was also denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including lung problems and eye issues, all claimed as secondary to mustard gas exposure. The case is being remanded due to the need to verify the veteran's reported exposure to mustard gas and provide a VA examination to determine if any of these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current heart, diabetes, and hypertension conditions and his military service. The residuals from his abdominal surgery in 1996 are not related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities. The RO assigned staged evaluations based on the severity of each condition.

The veteran is seeking service connection for coronary artery disease and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected disability. The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to make a determination on these claims.

The veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for post coronary artery disease, which he claims was caused by VA treatment from May 2001 to August 2003. The case has been remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a VCAA notice.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening his heart disease claim and service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the heart disease claim and dismissing the appeals on hearing loss and tinnitus.