Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for increased rating, reopening of heart condition claim, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining Social Security Administration records and providing proper notice under Dingess v. Nicholson.

The Board has granted the reopening of the veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. The evidence submitted since the August 1982 Board decision is considered new and material.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VCAA notice, and further action is required.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease was not incurred or aggravated during active military service and is not etiologically related to service-connected disability. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, peripheral neuritis, heart disease, and Koch's disease due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The veteran's heart disease was rated at 30% from September 1, 2004 to December 11, 2004. From December 12, 2004, the VA determined that his condition warranted a 100% evaluation.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for psychiatric disability, claimed as PTSD. The decision is to grant this claim.

The Board has determined that the VA's duties to notify and assist have not been fulfilled for this issue, and thus the case is being returned to the RO/AMC for further development.

The veteran's death was not caused by or substantially or materially contributed to by a disability incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service.

The veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his lumbar spine, thoracic spine, and right shoulder disabilities were denied. The heart condition claim was not granted as it is unrelated to service.

The veteran's current heart disease condition is not attributable to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, fatigue, heart disorder, and sleep apnea as secondary to undiagnosed illness. The appeals were also not successful in reopening previously denied claims for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current heart disability or bilateral hearing loss disability, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied. The right ankle sprain issue remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cardiovascular disorder, including coronary artery disease and hypertension, is not related to service or any incident therein. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied service connection for both the veteran's chronic pulmonary obstructive disease and arteriosclerotic heart disease, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for congestive heart failure with pulmonary hypertension and entitlement to automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only. The claim of entitlement to specially adapted housing is granted, rendering the special home adaptation grant moot.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his fatal conditions to his active service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The appellant's claim for accrued benefits was denied as it was not filed within one year after the veteran's death and the appellant is not a valid claimant for accrued benefits.