Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease is secondary to his service-connected varicose veins and grants this claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart disease and bilateral hearing loss are not service-connected.

The VA determined that the veteran's current heart condition is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran did not have exposure to mustard gas or Lewisite during service and thus could not establish a claim for service connection based on such exposure. The Board also determined that there was no evidence of combat, which is required for claims involving PTSD. As a result, the veteran's claims were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including head injury, back disability, shoulder disorders, foot injuries, eye disorder, heart disorder, lung disease, psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, asbestosis, COPD, cervical spine disorder, hemorrhoids, tinnitus, and loss of teeth are not supported by the evidence of record.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and diabetes, as well as service connection for heart disease secondary to these conditions, were denied. The claim for a temporary total evaluation was held in abeyance.

The veteran's treatment at AAMC from August 27, 2002 to September 2, 2002 was deemed necessary due to an acute medical emergency. The VAMC found that the services provided were not covered by VA and approved payment or reimbursement for the period up to August 28, 2002.

The veteran's atherosclerotic heart disease and hypertension were granted service connection on the basis of being incurred as a result of active service due to his status as a prisoner of war. The ratings for peptic ulcer disease and anxiety disorder with depressive features remain unchanged.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. The claims for cold injury residuals of the left shoulder and right hand, heart disability, and head injury (now claimed as scars resulting from shell fragment wounds) have been remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's valvular heart disease is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a cardiovascular disorder, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, that is attributable to his military service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to clarify whether the veteran's heart disorder was caused or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an earlier effective date of March 8, 2004 for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease for accrued benefits purposes.

The veteran seeks a higher disability rating for diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine the severity of his diabetes and any associated complications.

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart disability, Grave's disease, and hyperthyroidism are not related to service exposure to ionizing radiation or toxic chemicals. As a result, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current heart disability related to service, and the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for hepatitis B and service connection for a heart disability, finding that there was no evidence of current heart disability related to service or service-connected disability.

The veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease was rated at 60 percent since November 5, 2004. The VA determined that the condition did not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence.

The Board found no evidence of a stomach ulcer or heart disorder in service, and the medical records do not link these conditions to military service.

The veteran's hypertensive heart disease is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.