Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2006

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected WPW syndrome was denied. The claim for service connection for CAD was also denied, and the TDIU claim is deferred due to its inextricability with the WPW syndrome claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease, finding that his condition did not increase in severity during service and was not related to military service.

The Board found that the veteran's low back and heart disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor could they be presumed to have been so incurred. The claims for service connection were therefore denied.

The Board finds that the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, which was under control prior to his death, contributed substantially and materially to his cause of death. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence showing it required additional treatment beyond what was already provided.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cause of death, arteriosclerotic heart disease and ischemic cardiomyopathy, was not incurred in or related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart disease was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension but denied service connection for coronary artery disease.

The veteran's coronary artery disease has not involved more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year, a workload of greater than 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs; or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 30 to 50 percent. Therefore, his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not file a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) with respect to an August 2001 rating decision denying service connection for heart disease, residuals of prostate cancer, and a psychiatric disability. As such, the appeal is dismissed.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and hypertension, finding that his disability is no more than a 30 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension on account of being in need of aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential exposure to herbicides and pesticides in Thailand, including Agent Orange. The veteran is requested to provide additional information and evidence.

The Board denied service connection for sinus congestion in April 2002 and again in February 2003, finding no evidence linking the condition to active military service.,The Board also denied service connection for valvular heart disease in April 2002 and again in February 2003, concluding that there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition or any event during service that caused or aggravated the condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and heart disease, finding no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for hypertensive heart disease and hypertension, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne, arthritis (claimed as bone deterioration), heart disease, a low back disability, and a left knee disability due to exposure to herbicides. The evidence did not show that these conditions were related to service or to in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease and has determined that it is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claims for hypertension and periodontal disease and gingivitis are denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship to service or secondary to service-connected diabetes.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have service connection for heart disease, stroke, or kidney disease. Bilateral below the knee amputations are also denied as secondary to ischemia caused by heart disease.