Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2009

The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred therein. The low back disability was determined to be incurred in combat service and linked to a history of surgeries. Service connection for the skin disability is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for organic heart disease, including pericarditis and rheumatic heart disease is part of the underlying claim for an increased evaluation for myocarditis. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for organic heart disease is dismissed as it is already covered by the existing claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected coronary artery disease and hypertension, which the Board found to be the result of his Alzheimer's/dementia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between his current heart condition and his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development, including providing updated VCAA notice and readjudicating the claim of reopening a service connection claim for heart disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cardiovascular and psychiatric disabilities are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected tachycardia is not associated with his CAD and hypertension, which are both determined to be secondary to the service-connected condition. The Board finds that a compensable evaluation for tachycardia is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have CAD that is attributable to military service or caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current coronary artery disease is directly related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have rheumatic fever in service and denied his claims for service connection for arthritis, heart disease, and their residuals.

The Board found that the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not causally related to his active service or any incident therein, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for an examination to determine if his hypertension, heart disease, and high cholesterol are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for ischemic heart disease and history of myocardial infarct as secondary to service-connected bronchial asthma, finding no new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's coronary artery disease is related to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran contends that his heart problems are due to stress from his PTSD.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for arteriosclerotic heart disease from June 23, 1998 through November 17, 2003.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest available rating of 50 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment. Service connection for depression, CAD, and hypertension secondary to PTSD are not granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and service department records.