Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease were not incurred or aggravated in service, nor are they related to asbestos exposure. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board found that the veteran's heart disability is not related to his service or any service-connected condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease with an enlarged heart, finding no direct relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of coronary artery disease or residuals of a cerebrovascular accident, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. The preponderance of the evidence is against both claims.

The Board granted a separate 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected hypertension, effective January 28, 2004.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board found that the veteran's heart disease was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service and is not proximately due to or caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type II. The issue of a compensable disability rating for hearing loss of the right ear will be addressed in the REMAND portion.

The veteran's skin disability, pharyngitis, vertigo, heart disability (aortic valve replacement), and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service.,There is no evidence of a current skin disability related to mustard gas exposure, germ warfare, or cold injury.

The veteran's claims for service connection for skin and heart disorders have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.,For the remaining issues, including fibromyalgia, lupus erythematosus (discoid), Raynaud's syndrome, and arthralgias, secondary to Agent Orange exposure, service connection has not been established due to lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, cerebral vascular accident, and prostate cancer as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause his death, and thus denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of death and the DIC claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability and type II diabetes mellitus, finding that these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service.,For the heart disability, the Board determined it was not otherwise etiologically related to such service. For type II diabetes mellitus, the Board found no evidence of its onset within one year post-service discharge and concluded it was not proximately caused or aggravated by the veteran's service-connected post-phlebitic syndrome of the right leg.

The veteran's death was caused by a cerebrovascular accident, pneumonia/sinusitis, atherosclerotic heart disease and congestive heart failure. There is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Board is deciding claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings, as well as reopening a claim. The veteran's claims are decided on the merits in some cases but not all.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease, finding that these conditions are not related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the veteran's heart-related disabilities did not cause his death, and service connection for these conditions was not established. The appellant's claim of diabetes mellitus contributing to her husband's death or aggravating his cardiovascular disorders could not be substantiated.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, singly or in combination, precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment during the periods specified.

The veteran's twisted ankle, low back disability, and right knee disability are not service-connected as they do not have a direct link to his military service.,Service connection for hypertension is denied because the condition existed prior to service and there is no evidence of aggravation during service. The current diagnosis is considered preexisting.,The heart condition is also denied as secondary to hypertension, with the earliest indication being 18 years after service discharge.