Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2009

The Veteran is seeking service connection for coronary artery bypass graft times four, which he underwent in 1996. He contends that this procedure was complicated and aggravated by his service-connected rheumatic fever. The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the current cardiovascular disorder is caused or aggravated by service-connected rheumatic fever.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the etiology of any current heart disorder, as the existing evidence is insufficient for proper adjudication.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was rated at 60% effective November 14, 2006. Before that date and after December 27, 2007, the rating remained at 10%. The Veteran's condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for arteriosclerotic heart disease and a separate 10% rating for hypertension was denied as there were no symptoms warranting such ratings within the year prior to July 14, 2004.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is not proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction and sleep apnea are found to be aggravated by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder and diabetes mellitus, type 2. The claim for direct service connection is denied.

The Board found that the October 1992 rating decision denying service connection for a heart condition did not involve clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and specifically ruled out a secondary relationship to his service-connected PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for the heart condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for cause of death. The appellant did not provide sufficient medical evidence to support her belief that the Veteran's PTSD contributed to his arteriosclerotic heart disease or insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis, gout, back disability, hearing loss, tinnitus, lung disability (claimed as breathing problems), sleep problems, heart disability, kidney disability, and neck cancer have been denied. The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for gout.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence to support a finding that it was incurred in or related to military service.

The Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease have been granted service connection, but the VA has determined that they do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to confirm any periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), which may affect the appellant's claims for service connection. The case is REMANDED for these purposes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection, finding that an effective date earlier than February 17, 2004, for the award of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is not warranted. The Board also found that further development was required to address the issues of heart disorders, peripheral vascular disease, and bilateral carotid artery stenosis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected ischemic heart disease and whether he needs aid and attendance.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for an additional disability as a result of VA treatment for an aortic valve replacement. The Board has ordered further development to determine if there is any additional chronic heart disability following the VA treatments in August 2000 and January 2001.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a heart disability, finding that there was no direct evidence linking these disabilities to his active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current heart disorder did not begin during service and was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a heart disorder secondary to PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stroke, secondary to his service-connected hypertension is denied as there is no medical evidence of record that he suffered a stroke or currently has residuals of a stroke.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for further development of evidence. The effective date claim for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no competent medical nexus indicating its onset in service or secondary to a service-connected disability. Hypertension and heart disabilities are also denied as there is no credible evidence linking them to service, including service-connected conditions.