Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2008

The Board found that the appellant's respiratory and cardiovascular disabilities did not have their onset during service or within one year of separation, and are not etiologically related to his military service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have coronary artery disease and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal regarding service connection for respiratory disorder, back disorder, right foot disorder, and heart disorder. The claim for a higher evaluation of diabetes mellitus type 2 was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatic heart disease. The veteran's other cardiac conditions are not addressed in the decision.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Hypertensive Heart Disease (on a presumptive basis due to diabetes mellitus), and Hepatitis C. The claim for PTSD is granted as it relates to an in-service stressor. Service connection for Hypertensive Heart Disease is also granted on a presumptive basis due to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for Hepatitis C remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and right ankle arthritis. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the appellant's current heart conditions are related to his service-connected scarlet fever and rheumatic fever.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and lung disorder, due to exposure to Agent Orange. The veteran's PTSD claim was also denied.

The Board has ordered a remand for the veteran's claims due to outstanding VA treatment records and SSA disability benefit determinations. The issues include service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, heart disorder (secondary to hypertension), and kidney disorder (secondary to hypertension).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of them were incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service and not related to presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The heart condition, lung/respiratory disorder, bilateral hearing loss, weakness of the immune system, voice condition, and pneumonia were all determined to be unrelated to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, which is presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to Agent Orange during his military service in Vietnam.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher rate of special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to care for his daily personal needs or protect himself from hazards without regular assistance.

The Board has remanded the case due to a hearing issue and will schedule another travel board hearing at the RO.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and heart disorder were not incurred or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The claim for service connection for asthma is REMANDED due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death. The case is being remanded for further action on DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back pain, heart condition, and basal cell carcinoma. The RO found no new and material evidence to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that no new and material evidence had been presented to reopen the claim.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for atherosclerotic heart disease and bilateral hearing loss were denied as his conditions did not warrant higher ratings based on the evidence of record.