Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2008

The veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease (ASHD) is not due to disease or injury that was incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claims for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and a heart condition secondary to bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Board found that there was no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's erectile dysfunction, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and hypertension to his service or his service-connected PTSD.

The appeal was dismissed due to the veteran's death.

The appeal is remanded for further development and a comprehensive medical examination to address the veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and coronary artery disease.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining additional medical evidence regarding the relationship between the veteran's service-connected PTSD and his coronary artery disease.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, peptic ulcer disease, diverticulitis/diverticulosis, intervertebral disc syndrome, arthritis of the wrists and hands, bilateral hip and knee disabilities, post-operative muscle weakness and herniation, and a left ankle disability as there was no evidence relating their onset to service.

The Board denied service connection for a heart condition other than hypertension and found that the veteran's substantive appeal to the May 2003 rating decision which denied service connection for a bilateral eye condition was not timely filed, thus the Board lacks jurisdiction to consider this issue.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for heart disorder, back disorder (claimed as back problems), and PTSD. The appeal was also denied for residuals of head trauma, to include seizures.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, increased rating for status-post lateral meniscectomy of the right knee, increase in disability rating for multiple kidney stones, and a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss. The veteran's current disabilities are rated as noncompensable.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound was denied as he is not bedridden, does not require regular aid and attendance, and is not substantially confined to his house.

The Board found that the veteran's current coronary artery disease was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service and is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. Therefore, the claim for service connection on a secondary basis was denied.

The Board found that coronary artery disease was not incurred in or aggravated by the veteran's active duty service and is not otherwise related to his service-connected varicose veins. The claim for service connection was denied.

Service connection for optic atrophy and/or optic neuropathy of the right eye is not granted as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during service or for many years following discharge.,Service connection for dizzy spells, disorientation, fatigue, insomnia, memory loss and leg cramps is denied as there is no medical evidence linking these symptoms to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder and headaches as secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board remands the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion from a cardiologist regarding the etiology of any heart disorder and whether it is related to service or caused by the veteran's service-connected hypertension.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a hip disability, low back disability, amputation of the right big toe, amputation of toes of the left foot, or recurrent ulcerations of the feet that are attributable to military service. Diabetes mellitus and arteriosclerotic heart disease were not shown within one year of separation from active duty.

The veteran's spouse is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease, which was granted in February 2002. The RO has not provided proper VCAA notice and this case must be remanded to provide such.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.

The veteran's IHD is currently rated at 60 percent disabling and the claim for an increased rating is denied. The need for regular aid and attendance of another person or housebound benefits due to service-connected disability are also denied.