Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for tachycardia, hypertension, and tension headaches. The veteran was not granted service connection for a heart disorder claimed as chest pain.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and arranging for VA examinations. The claims for higher evaluations of hypertensive heart disease, impotency, and hypertension are pending.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have residuals of rheumatic fever, to include rheumatic heart disease, attributable to his active service.,There is no evidence showing a link between the veteran's active service and any current bilateral knee disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected anxiety state contributed to his heart disease and ultimately caused his death, granting the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and to reopen his claim of service connection for a respiratory condition. The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and there is no evidence of negligence by VA in providing medical treatment for his heart condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection of coronary artery disease and an increased rating for chronic ethmoidal and maxillary sinusitis on the right, finding insufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound due to his inability to meet the criteria set forth in VA regulations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claim for service connection for a heart condition, to include as secondary to service-connected hypertension can be decided. This includes obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, but granted service connection for coronary artery disease, status post aortic valve replacement. The decision is mixed as it grants one issue (coronary artery disease) and denies another (rheumatic fever/rheumatic heart disease).

The veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis was denied due to lack of evidence of the condition. The veteran's need for aid and attendance was granted, with a special monthly pension rate based on his physical limitations.

The Board denied service connection for deep vein thrombosis and heart disease, finding no evidence of onset or aggravation during service. The claim for a psychiatric disorder was also denied as new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's non-flow limiting coronary artery disease is proximately due to chemotherapy associated with his service-connected Hodgkin's Lymphoma, and thus grants service connection for a cardiovascular disorder including coronary artery disease.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his service or radiation exposure, and thus denied all of his claims.

The Board found no evidence of PTSD and denied service connection for the other conditions. The heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, and respiratory condition were not shown to be related to service.

The veteran's initial disability ratings for diabetes mellitus, PTSD, watery stools associated with Type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and diabetic retinopathy have been denied. The veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for PTSD since January 2, 2004.

The veteran requested to withdraw all issues on appeal, including those related to his service-connected hypertensive heart disease and left inguinal hernia scar.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for residuals of prostate cancer due to new and material evidence. However, further development is needed before these claims can be decided on their merits.

The veteran's heart disability is not deemed to be the result of inadequate VA treatment or lack thereof, and thus compensation benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are denied.