Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have heart disease and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran is seeking higher ratings for his PTSD and gastroesophageal reflux disease. He also seeks service connection for bilateral leg nodules, a respiratory condition secondary to herbicide exposure, and sleep apnea.,The veteran is seeking an initial rating greater than 10 percent for his gastroesophageal reflux disease. He also seeks service connection for a respiratory condition secondary to chlorine gas exposure.,The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. He also seeks service connection for bilateral leg nodules, a respiratory condition secondary to herbicide exposure, and sleep apnea.,The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral leg nodules, a respiratory condition secondary to herbicide exposure, and sleep apnea. He also seeks service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to PTSD.,The veteran is seeking an effective date earlier than April 9, 2005, for total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU).,The veteran is seeking service connection for a respiratory condition secondary to herbicide exposure. He also seeks service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to PTSD.,The veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea. He also seeks service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death was not related to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type 2. The pre-existing heart and lung conditions were deemed more significant in causing his death.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic skin rash in service and denied the claim. For other conditions, additional development is needed to determine if they are related to service.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is October 7, 2004, due to a regulatory change in law providing presumptive service connection for former prisoners of war who have hypertensive heart disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for gastrointestinal bleeding, peptic ulcer disease, and coronary artery disease. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board finds that the veteran's cause of death is not service-connected, as there is no evidence of myocardial infarction, heart disease, congestive heart failure, and hypertension in service or within a presumptive period. The appellant's claim for secondary service connection based on PTSD is denied.

The Board finds that the unauthorized medical services provided on December 24, 2003, constituted a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health. Therefore, the criteria for payment or reimbursement are met.

The veteran's coronary artery disease is granted as secondary to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder. A temporary total rating for convalescence following the January 1997 bypass surgery is granted.

The Board found that the veteran did not have coronary artery disease during service or within one year of separation, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of his claims.

The veteran is granted service connection for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and its associated joint disabilities, but denied service connection for valvular heart disease.,Service connection was not granted for residuals of rheumatic fever as the condition preexisted service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including scheduling a personal hearing at the RO and considering any additional evidence.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service-connected hypertension and coronary artery disease have been dismissed due to the death of the veteran.

The veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease were not found to be related to his service-connected PTSD. The Board denied the claims for secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the veteran's current heart disorder is related to his military service, including any elevated and borderline hypertensive blood pressure readings during active duty. The veteran also needs to provide information about all medical care providers who have treated him for his heart disorder since separation from service.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support an extraschedular rating for the veteran's hypertensive heart disease, and thus denied his claim.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death and entitlement to accrued benefits due to lack of evidence linking the veteran's death to his military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's service connection claims for arthritis and chest pain/heart trouble (claimed as heart disease) based on new evidence provided since the December 1997 rating decision. The effective dates for these claims are not addressed in this decision.