Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that a timely notice of disagreement was filed regarding the July 2003 decision denying service connection for diabetes mellitus and related coronary artery disease, impotence, and skin rash. The case is being remanded to reassess the issues and obtain additional medical records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a central nervous system disorder, impaired vision, and a heart disorder due to exposure to carbon tetrachloride during military service. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining a rationale from the VA examiner who provided opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected PTSD and hypertension and heart disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for chronic valvular heart disease with mitral insufficiency and transient ischemic attack were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, to include a myocardial infarction, as secondary to his service-connected dysthymic disorder and anxiety disorder is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and hypertension were denied. The issues of reopening claims for back disability, PTSD or other psychiatric disorder, right leg sprain, degenerative joint and disc disease of the cervical spine, bilateral hearing loss, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD substantially contributed to his death from ischemic heart disease, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's death is being reviewed to determine if his service-connected conditions contributed to his cause of death. The appellant also seeks DIC benefits under a new version of the regulation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for aortic heart disease and migraine headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to a lack of evidence showing that his service-connected varicose veins caused or contributed to his fatal coronary artery disease/myocardial infarction.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses for a nonservice-connected condition (coronary artery disease) is denied as he did not meet the eligibility criteria under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for beriberi, heart disease, and arthritis were denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease (CAD) and diabetes mellitus, are reasonably shown to be of such nature and severity as to preclude him from participating in any regular substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Bell's palsy as secondary to his service-connected hearing loss. The combined evaluation of his service-connected disabilities is currently at 80 percent.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the appellant did not meet the legal criteria for accrued benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disability and left ankle disability were not incurred in active service.

The Veteran's current heart disorder has been aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and the Board finds that service connection is warranted on a secondary basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether lung and heart diseases were related to service, including possible exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's death was caused by cancer at the gastroesophageal junction that metastasized to his lungs.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and therefore the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in its analysis regarding the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).