Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to a 10 percent rating for hypertension, effective from November 19, 2001. The initial rating of 30 percent for coronary artery disease remains unchanged.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, but further development is needed to determine if it is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the veteran's claims of service connection due to radiation exposure, asbestos exposure, and other conditions. The case is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the claimed disabilities due to lack of exposure to herbicides in service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The Board has denied all service connection claims as there is no evidence of any claimed conditions during or within one year after service, and the nexus opinions are against a link to service.

The veteran's heart disease, other than hypertension, is not service-connected. The claim for residuals of a bronchial concussion and COPD was denied as the condition is considered direct service connection without any presumption or secondary linkage to service-connected conditions. The veteran's PTSD claim resulted in an increased rating but no new grant of service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for coronary heart disease, claimed as secondary to PTSD, requires additional development due to insufficient medical evidence. The case is REMANDED for a VA examination and further review.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred in December 2002 for treatment of heart disease were denied as the conditions did not meet the requirements under VA regulations for payment or reimbursement.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration of his claims, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his coronary artery disease and the severity of his service-connected left wrist and right hip disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or that any claimed conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for rectal cancer, coronary artery disease (CAD), and degenerative joint diseases of the left and right knees. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his period of active duty service or to exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition and coronary artery disease due to Agent Orange exposure, finding no current disability or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertriglyceridemia was denied as the condition is not a disability under VA laws and regulations. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability, in-service occurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury, or medical nexus between an in-service disease or injury and the current disability.

The Board denied service connection for a circulatory disorder and hypertension, finding no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The veteran's current diagnoses were not linked to his military service.

The veteran's myocardial infarction and current heart disease are being reviewed to determine if they were caused by, secondary to, or made worse by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of onset during service or a relationship to service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and cerebro-cerebella atrophy leading to dementia, render him in need of regular aid and attendance. His condition is deemed to meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The veteran's cause of death was determined to be due to hypoxic encephalopathy, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, and cardiomyopathy. The Board found that the veteran had hypertension in service, which is shown by competent medical evidence to have been etiologically related to his cause of death.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing a myocardial infarction during active duty or reserve service.