Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2008

The veteran's heart condition is found to be incurred or aggravated as a result of his active military service.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed as a result.

The VA determined that the veteran's congenital heart disease patent ductus ateriosus does not result in disablement and is therefore not entitled to a compensable rating.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound was denied. The Board found that the veteran does not meet the criteria to establish a factual need for aid and attendance, as he is able to leave his home at his discretion with assistance.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for the cause of death, DIC under Section 1318, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance. The heart condition was found unrelated to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying the opinions on whether the veteran's diabetes mellitus caused or aggravated his coronary artery disease.

The veteran's cause of death was a cerebrovascular accident due to diabetes and coronary artery disease. The Board found that these conditions were not service-connected.

The Board has vacated its June 6, 2008 decision denying service connection for coronary artery disease (claimed as a heart condition) and remanded the case to allow for further development.

The Board is remanding the case for further development and compliance with VCAA requirements, including providing a VCAA letter to ensure full compliance with VCAA notice requirements.

The veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease, hypertension and atrial fibrillation, was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The veteran is also entitled to a 50 percent evaluation for his PTSD.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete records and the need for further examination regarding the veteran's hypertension and heart condition.

The Board found that the veteran's coronary artery disease was not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for heart disease with history of mitral valve prolapse due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has ordered a remand for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the VA examiner who conducted the June 2008 examination to address whether the veteran's hypertension and heart disease are at least as likely as not related to service or secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for bipolar disorder, rheumatic heart disease on the basis of aggravation, and PTSD based on personal/sexual assault. The case is being remanded to comply with VCAA requirements and to obtain additional development related to the veteran's claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the veteran's documented history and the July 2006 VA examiner's inadequate examination. The veteran is required to undergo a new VA cardiology examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and heart disorder causing chest pain. The claims were not supported by medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lung disorder, heart disorder, hypertension, hearing loss, and postoperative residuals of gastric surgery as there is no current evidence of disability or a nexus to service.