Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of shrapnel wounds to his left leg and left shoulder, PTSD, hypertension, and a heart condition due to lack of credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection. The claims for hypertension, heart condition, diabetes mellitus, and emphysema were not reopened.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD was granted a 50 percent evaluation, but his claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and hypertension were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a heart disorder and also denied his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's arterial hypertension and heart disease were incurred in service, as it is just as likely as not that these conditions manifested to a degree of at least 10 percent disabling during his second period of service from February 2003 to February 2004 or within one year of his discharge.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, prostatitis, chronic renal insufficiency with episodic acute renal failure and nephritic syndrome, and chronic ischemic heart disease, multivessel coronary artery disease, status post angioplasty, as none of these conditions were found to be related to his service or secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal with respect to the February 2005 rating decision, and therefore the Board has no jurisdiction to consider his claims.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease as there was no medical evidence linking the condition to military service, and the veteran's symptoms did not manifest until many years after discharge.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound, as there was no evidence that the veteran's service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis rendered him unable to care for his daily personal needs or protect himself from the hazards and dangers of daily living without care or assistance on a regular basis.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for a temporary total evaluation, TDIU, and an increased rating for right knee injury. The claim for service connection for nerve damage of the right knee was denied.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his ischemic heart disease, insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, renal insufficiency, and liver failure were not related to his military service.

The appeal concerning the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for a left ear hearing loss and hemorrhoids was withdrawn by the veteran prior to promulgation of a decision.

The appeal is remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction for scheduling a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, to include a heart condition, as the evidence did not show that it was related to active service or manifested within one year of discharge.

The Board denied service connection for pneumonia and a heart disorder as there is no evidence of these conditions being causally related to the veteran's active service.

The veteran's arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease status post myocardial infarction with coronary artery disease is not due to his active service or as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the bilateral shoulder and left knee disabilities, and an initial compensable evaluation for the right wrist disability are being remanded to the RO for additional development.

The reduction of the veteran's lung cancer rating from 100% to zero percent was proper.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating, TDIU, and earlier effective date for PTSD are being remanded for additional development.

The Board granted service connection for residuals of frostbite of the hands and reopened claims for arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease, lung disorder, and disability manifested by hypoglycemia. The claim for hypertension was denied.