Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2006

The Board has remanded the case for additional evidentiary development, including a VA cardiology examination to determine the current severity of the veteran's hypertension and heart disease.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current heart disorder, including atherosclerotic heart disease and diastolic hypertension, was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 30 percent for the veteran's residuals of rheumatic fever, including rheumatic heart disease with mitral regurgitation. The effective date remains pending as it is being remanded to determine a proper effective date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease, finding that there was no evidence of these conditions during service or related to a service-connected condition.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment reports and seeking medical opinions on the cause of death.

The Board found that the cause of death was not related to service-connected disability and denied the claim for DIC.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current heart disability is not related to his in-service rheumatic fever, and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and heart disease, finding that the conditions are not related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the claimed heart disability. The veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for cervical spine disability was also denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for coronary artery disease and occlusive peripheral disease, which he claims are secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The case is being remanded for additional development including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether the veteran's hypertension is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or arteriosclerotic heart disease, and if so, whether it is aggravated by these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including chronic fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, respiratory problems, heart disorder, gastrointestinal disorders, weight fluctuation and metabolic disorder, eye disorders, a cyst on the left testicle, and headaches. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection due to an undiagnosed illness.

The veteran withdrew her appeal for service connection for obsessive-compulsive personality trait and elevated cholesterol at a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The veteran's coronary artery disease was evaluated at a 30 percent rating from March 29, 1996 to February 1, 2004.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertensive vascular disease and lung cancer. The veteran's hypertension was incurred during his active duty, as evidenced by the presence of high blood pressure readings in August 1991 while he was on active duty. Service connection is also granted for lung cancer based on evidence showing treatment at VA facilities.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic heart disorder in service or within one year post-service, and concluded that any current atrial fibrillation is more likely related to nonservice-connected conditions. The claim for residuals of left pneumothorax was denied as well.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic heart condition during service or within the presumptive period, and concluded that any current heart disorder is not related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including requesting a VA examiner to review the claims folder and render an opinion regarding the relationship between the veteran's cardiovascular complaints in service and his cause of death. The issue of DIC pursuant to the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is also referred back to the RO for issuance of a SOC.

The veteran's claims for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and hyperlipidemia are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's HIV and arteriosclerotic heart disease are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims.