Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2007

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for arteriosclerotic heart disease and hypertension, as well as her claim for TDIU, all for accrued benefits purposes. The evidence of record at the time of the veteran's death did not show that his arteriosclerotic heart disease or hypertension warranted a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease, claiming aortic insufficiency and status-post aortic valve replacement, finding no evidence of onset or aggravation during active duty.

The veteran's coronary artery disease and hypertension were granted service connection, with effective date of April 18, 2003. The claim for an earlier effective date for COPD was denied.

The veteran seeks service connection for heart disease, which he claims was caused by a murmur during his military service. The RO denied the claim as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The Board has ordered further examination and opinion regarding whether the murmur in service led to subsequent heart disease.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the veteran's service-connected conditions and his death, nor did any other condition cause or contribute substantially to his death. The claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is denied.

The veteran's death prevented the issuance of a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and necessary adaptive equipment, as his claim was pending at the time of his death.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and heart disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his service records, including those from his unit at Camp Lejeune. Relevant private treatment records must also be obtained.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, postoperative residuals of coronary artery disease, and a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety), as well as his claim for an increased rating for right ear hearing loss. The April 1975 denial of service connection for left ear hearing loss is final.

The Board has determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation with left bundle-branch block and erectile dysfunction are aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that the veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently suffer from angina and concluded that service connection for coronary artery spasm with angina as secondary to PTSD is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if coronary artery disease began during service or is related to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and Hypertension effective January 31, 2003. The veteran's claims were previously denied in final decisions but reopened on January 31, 2003.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional VCAA notice. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is addressed separately.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, claimed as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease with a history of congestive heart failure is currently manifested by symptomatology productive of no lower than 5-7 metabolic equivalents (METs) and no lower ejection fraction than 55 percent. The criteria for an increased evaluation have not been met.

The veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, heart condition, and erectile dysfunction were denied. Service connection was granted for diabetes mellitus with a 20% rating throughout the appeal period. The veteran's peripheral neuropathy conditions are rated based on their severity.

The Board has determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for increased disability rating for PTSD with depression was granted, and he is now rated at 50 percent disabling effective from June 28, 2006. The original service connection claims for coronary artery disease, hypertension, CVA, and headaches remain pending.