Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for hypothyroidism and coronary artery disease is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for a right ankle disability, type II diabetes mellitus, and cardiomegaly (heart disease) as there is no medical evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and service.,There was no chronic right ankle disability shown in service. The veteran's current traumatic arthritis of the right ankle did not manifest within one year of his separation from service.

The Board found that the veteran's heart disorder, diagnosed as status post bypass for coronary artery disease, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim. The AV nodal reentry tachycardia was separately granted service connection.

The veteran's conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound. The Board found that he does not have a factual need for aid and attendance, nor is he substantially confined to his home.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to lack of evidence linking any diagnosed conditions to his period of service. The claim for nonservice-connected death pension benefits was also denied as there is no legal entitlement under the law.

The veteran's death was caused by congestive heart failure, which is related to his service-connected post traumatic stress disorder. The Board has ordered additional development to determine the relationship between these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral vascular disease, hypertension and coronary artery disease as secondary to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II associated with herbicide exposure.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions, including PTSD. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's PTSD did not contribute to his death and that any medication for PTSD would have likely improved his ability to cope with other health issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and heart condition are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of their onset during or immediately after his military service. The heart condition is presumed to be related to malaria, which is already service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for heart disease, a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and a 10 percent rating for inguinal hernia. The veteran's claim for tinnitus was previously granted in January 2004.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, to include asthma, and for increased ratings for arteriosclerotic heart disease. The appeals were based on allegations of exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, or other environmental factors, but no such evidence was provided.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus Type III, coronary artery disease, and hypertension. The effective dates for these conditions were not assigned as requested.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension and CAD are not associated with his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board. The Board found no evidence of current conditions or a nexus to service, including Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and back disability were denied. The RO granted the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, status post arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy of the right eye, status post right 4th metacarpal fracture, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, peripheral vascular disease of the right lower extremity, and peripheral vascular disease of the left lower extremity.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected PTSD did not cause his tobacco use, and therefore could not be considered as secondary to it. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's cardiovascular disorder was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. Additionally, there is no evidence of a compensable degree of cardiovascular disorder within one year of discharge, nor any etiological link between the condition and service.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension and heart condition were not incurred in service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and heart disorder as secondary to hypertension, finding that his hypertension existed prior to service and did not increase in severity during service. The heart disorder was also found not related to active service.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if new and material evidence has been received to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for rheumatic heart disease with mitral valve stenosis. The issue of whether the December 1966 rating decision was clearly and unmistakably erroneous in failing to grant service connection for rheumatic heart disease is also being considered.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed due to untimely Substantive Appeals.