Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2007

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for medical records from Puerto Rico and New York National Guard service. The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded for further review.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to PTSD and denied entitlement to burial benefits based on service-connected death. The Board found that the service-connected PTSD did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected PTSD, and the Board finds that DIC benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 are denied.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a link between any of these conditions and the veteran's active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for depression and to restore the 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease, finding that the reduction was proper based on improvement in his condition.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a lung, heart, colon, stomach, or intestinal disability attributable to service. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board has granted an effective date of December 27, 2002 for the grant of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to ischemic heart disease.

The veteran's initial disability rating for coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction is granted at a 30 percent level prior to April 2, 2002.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and an increased rating for chronic gastritis, finding that there is no evidence of a link between these conditions and active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by his service-connected heart disease, and thus grants service connection for the cause of his death.

The veteran's death was caused by atherosclerotic heart disease, which is now presumed to be service-connected due to the revisions in the regulations for former POWs. The effective date of this award is October 7, 2004.

The veteran's claims for secondary service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, renal disease with coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure and hypertension, and sexual dysfunction were granted effective May 8, 2001. The Board finds no earlier effective date is warranted.,The veteran's claims for secondary service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities were granted effective May 8, 2001. The Board finds no earlier effective date is warranted.,The veteran's claims for secondary service connection for renal disease with coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure and hypertension, and sexual dysfunction were granted effective May 8, 2001. The Board finds no earlier effective date is warranted.,The veteran's claims for secondary service connection for sexual dysfunction were granted effective May 8, 2001. The Board finds no earlier effective date is warranted.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder did not cause or contribute to his death from atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of cold injury to the ears, cheeks, nose, chin, forehead, and scalp; coronary artery disease; and basal cell carcinoma as there is no competent evidence establishing current disabilities related to these conditions.

The veteran's varicose veins of the left leg are rated at 40 percent, effective April 1, 2001. The head injury residuals and cervical spine arthritis are each rated at 10 and 20 percent, respectively, also effective April 1, 2001.,The veteran's heart disease claim has been reopened but no new rating has been assigned.

The veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease with atrial valve replacement and hypertension has been granted a 60 percent evaluation, effective from the date of the appealed rating decision in May 1996.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by or a result of his service-connected disabilities, including his WPW syndrome and coronary artery disease.

The veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension is being remanded due to the need for an examination addressing whether these conditions are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension on account of being housebound or needing the aid and attendance of another person was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board found no evidence of a preexisting heart condition and denied service connection for coronary artery disease. The veteran's tinnitus was not shown to be related to military service, as it resolved prior to discharge.