Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2008

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a heart disorder and hypertension, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for hypertension and heart disability as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's active duty.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his cervical spine surgery, have resulted in a permanent loss of use of both lower extremities and require the use of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair for mobility. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for specially adapted housing assistance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for recognition as a former prisoner of war, entitlement to an earlier effective date for service connection, and entitlement to higher initial ratings. The appeal regarding PTSD was referred to the RO for further action.

The Board found that the veteran's current heart conditions, including atrial fibrillation and coronary artery disease, are not related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence to support the appellant's claim that his current cardiovascular disorders are related to his active service, and thus denied the claim.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the RO's decision to deny service connection for coronary artery disease, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart disorder is not related to his active military service and is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's heart condition, manifesting as supraventricular tachycardia, aortic insufficiency, and mitral regurgitation. The evaluation remains at 10 percent due to the balance of evidence being in equipoise.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of malaria.,Service connection is denied for coronary artery disease as there is no evidence showing a direct link between active service and current heart condition, nor does it show an onset within one year post-service. The veteran's prostate cancer also lacks sufficient evidence linking his military service to his current condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic asthmatic bronchitis and entitlement to special monthly pension (SMP) on account of being in need of aid and attendance (A&A). The Board found that there was no evidence linking the claimed conditions to active duty, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by a service-connected disability, arteriosclerotic heart disease, which first manifested during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's heart disorder and its relationship to service or service-connected conditions. The veteran needs a VA examination to determine if he has any currently diagnosed heart disorders, their etiology, and whether they are related to his military service or any other condition.

The veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and the surviving spouse is therefore denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board found that VA medical treatment did not cause increased or additional disability to the veteran's heart, bladder, and prostate disorders. The claims are denied.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD) as secondary to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The effective date of TDIU was established at April 9, 2005.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left ear hearing loss, depressive affective disorder, costochondritis, hyperlipidemia (hypothyroidism), bilateral leg pain with inflammation, and a back disability. The decision also noted that some of these issues were remanded to the RO.

The Board found that the veteran's heart disease was not caused by his service, specifically noting that there is no evidence linking his current heart condition to a murmur detected during service. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's coronary artery disease is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination. The veteran's claims include service connection for diabetes, CAD, skin condition, anxiety disorder, and an earlier effective date.