Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2008

The VA has determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease is not related to his service-connected residuals of frostbite of the lower extremities, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA heart examination to determine if any current heart disease is related to service-related nicotine dependence or smoking during military service.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied both the cause of death claim and the DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosis of coronary artery disease was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of his claims for service connection for heart disease and an increased evaluation for his left knee disability.

The Board dismissed the appeal concerning an increased evaluation for hearing loss. The claims of service connection for a lung disability and coronary artery disease were denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The VA determined that there is no medical evidence linking the veteran's current heart disease, including coronary artery disease, to his service. The Board found that the veteran did not have a chronic disability in service or during an applicable presumptive period and thus could not establish service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's request to reopen her claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The veteran's initial evaluation for atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction is being remanded due to the failure to appear at scheduled VA examinations and his homelessness. The case will be readjudicated after scheduling another medical examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, residuals of rheumatic fever, and vision disorder due to radiation exposure. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension and heart condition were not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material to reopen the claim for service connection for low back disability, hypertension (claimed as secondary to type II diabetes mellitus), and coronary artery disease (claimed as secondary to type II diabetes mellitus).

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death was due to acute myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease, which are not service-connected. The esophageal achalasia is considered a contributing factor but not causative. The Board denied all claims related to the veteran's death.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or significantly contributed to his death, including cardiovascular disorders.

The VA denied an increased rating for hypertensive arteriosclerotic heart disease, stating that the current evaluation of 30 percent is appropriate given the veteran's symptoms and medical findings.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his service medical records and VA treatment records. The claims for heart condition, stroke residuals, right shoulder disability, knee disabilities, GSW residuals, and bilateral hearing loss are pending.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder and circulatory problems of the feet and legs, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service. The veteran's current symptoms are more likely related to diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.