Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2007

The veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to combat exposure in Vietnam. His heart disorder secondary to diabetes mellitus is not service-connected, and the initial evaluation for his Type II diabetes mellitus with retinopathy and nephropathy is granted at 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, heart disease and hypertension, and multiple joint disabilities including a bilateral knee disability, rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints, osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, and a right ankle disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and related cardiovascular disabilities is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that there was no evidence showing that any condition causing his death was initially manifested during service or within one year after discharge.

The Board found that the veteran's atherosclerotic heart disease did not have its onset in service or as a result of his service-connected conditions, and therefore denied service connection for the cause of death. The DIC claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected PTSD may have contributed to his development of coronary artery disease and hypertension, but could not determine if this was due to a direct cause or aggravation. The decision is mixed as it grants part of the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease and status post myocardial infarction, to include as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The case will be re-adjudicated after a VA examination.

The appellant is not in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound due to her disabilities, as she can perform daily activities independently.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between his claimed conditions and active duty service.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for heart disease. However, the preponderance of the competent medical evidence is against a finding that the veteran's heart disease is causally related to his active service.

The veteran's current glaucoma, cataracts, hypertension, and heart disease disabilities are linked by competent medical evidence to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, and his other conditions are not considered to be related to service.

The veteran's unauthorized private medical expenses incurred from May 1, 2002 to May 10, 2002 are denied as service connection for his heart disease had not been established at the time of treatment.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for HHD was denied, and his claim for a T/R due to service-connected disabilities was also denied. The RO found that the veteran's HHD is currently rated at 60 percent disabling, which meets the minimum schedular criteria for a T/R but does not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board found no current evidence of heart disease and concluded that the veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease, including as secondary to herbicide exposure, was denied due to lack of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service.

The veteran's appeal was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating for PTSD, and his claims of service connection for heart disability and hypertension were also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart disorder is not due to carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill on the part of VA in furnishing medical treatment. The decision concludes that compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a heart disorder is denied.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, PTB, and peptic ulcer disease on the merits. The veteran died in May 2004 with hypostatic pneumonia as the immediate cause of death.

The Board found that the veteran's heart condition, including a myocardial infarction, was not incurred or aggravated during active service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that a 60 percent rating is warranted for the veteran's service-connected status-post coronary artery bypass grafting, with history of hypertension and angina from January 1, 2002 to March 1, 2004. The claim for higher ratings remains pending.