Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2008

The Board denied service connection for tubo-tympanic catarrh and coronary heart disease status-post myocardial infarction. The veteran's claim for tubo-tympanic catarrh was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, while the denial for coronary heart disease is being remanded.

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore, he is not eligible for service-connected burial allowance.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and heart disability. The evidence did not show exposure to herbicides in Okinawa or any other location where Agent Orange was used. There is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease was denied. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to service or a service-connected disability, while the PTSD claim was granted.,The claims for depression and low back disorder were reopened but not granted.

The veteran's coronary artery disease, which included a history of myocardial infarction, was not manifested by residual signs of congestive heart failure or angina on moderate exertion. The workload greater than 3 METs and the ejection fraction between 39 and 55 percent were reported.

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

The veteran is seeking service connection for coronary artery disease, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder. The case has been remanded due to the failure of the RO to consider a medical opinion from Dr. Peterson.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a heart murmur or coronary artery disease that is related to his active service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart disease is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and tinnitus is due to noise exposure in service. The appeal for these conditions is granted.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, effective April 30, 2004. His bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation. Service connection was granted for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of medical opinion regarding the cause of the veteran's death, specifically whether VA's decision to perform the surgery in light of his hypertension caused his demise.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence submitted by the veteran.

The Board finds that the veteran's claimed low back disability, hypertension, and residuals of coronary artery bypass are not service-connected as they do not have a direct link to his military service.

The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for coronary artery disease effective February 15, 2006. The veteran's claim of entitlement to an earlier effective date was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for rheumatic heart disease and service connection for atrial fibrillation with left ventricular hypertrophy as secondary to his service-connected rheumatic heart disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, and for earlier effective date for the award of a TDIU. The claim for service connection for disability claimed as due to Agent Orange exposure is pending.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension and heart disability were not incurred during service or due to any service-connected condition, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Board finds that the veteran's claimed coronary artery disease and hypertension are not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding of current disability for either condition.

The veteran's cause of death was granted service connection effective October 7, 2004 due to a regulatory amendment that provided for presumptive service connection for former POWs with certain heart conditions. The appellant sought an earlier effective date but the claim is denied as the grant was based on new law.