Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for organic heart disease manifested by bifasicular block, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his POW experience and his current condition.

The Board denied the claim for an effective date earlier than November 1, 2000, for the grant of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to a lack of legal merit.

The veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, tendonitis of the shoulder, burn on left hand, and hearing loss were denied. The claim for fracture of right little finger was granted.

The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine if the veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder aggravates his non-service connected coronary artery disease.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the veteran died during the pendency of the appeal, and thus no jurisdiction remains to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board found no evidence to support the claim that the veteran's death was caused by service-connected conditions or exposure to ionizing radiation. The cause of death was determined to be a heart attack due to coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 14, 2003 for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease was denied as his first formal claim came in on that date.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability and right knee degenerative joint disease with residuals of a torn meniscus, finding no current disabilities and insufficient evidence to link these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's heart condition, finding that his congenital disability was aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension. The Board also found that the veteran's hypertension and hypertensive heart disease have been aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, warranting service connection on this basis.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and his heart disease is not linked to service or a service-connected condition. Therefore, both claims for service connection are denied.

The VA Board of Veterans' Appeals found that the appellant's current kidney disorder, including end-stage renal disease and IgA nephropathy, is not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding that he incurred these conditions during active duty or any other period of service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the Atlanta RO.

The veteran's initial disability ratings for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and an increased rating for duodenal ulcer disease due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including providing VCAA notice and obtaining a VA examination to address service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to rheumatic heart disease and an increased rating for rheumatic heart disease.