Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2009

The Veteran's heart disorder, postoperative bone deterioration of the fingers of both hands, and rash of the upper and lower body were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Veteran's hepatitis C and liver disease were neither present during service nor related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for an updated VA examination to determine the severity of his service-connected coronary artery disease and status post coronary artery bypass grafts.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, a heart condition, degenerative joint and disc disease, lumbosacral spine with disc herniation, L5-S1, and foraminal stenosis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined 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 denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a heart disability as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus due to lack of evidence supporting such a link.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature of his claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus. The case will be returned to the RO for development on both issues.

The Board has found that the medical evidence does not preponderate against the appellant's claim to DIC benefits, and thus the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 have been met.

The Veteran's heart disability is not deemed to be caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have an additional heart disability as a result of VA outpatient treatment in April 2002.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the initial evaluations for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the creative organ, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease with hypertension, and service connection for diabetic retinopathy and cataracts.

The Veteran's heart disability is manifested by an ejection fraction of 65 percent or greater and metabolic equivalents (METs) of 8 and greater. There is no evidence of congestive heart failure, warranting a 30 percent disability rating under DC 7007.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a skin disability, hypertension, heart disability, and cerebrovascular disability have all been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during his active duty or any link to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for congenital valvular heart disease and a compensable evaluation for hypertension, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing conditions or aggravation during service.

The Veteran's post myocardial infarction with preexisting coronary artery disease is rated as 60 percent disabling from June 21, 2004 and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a heat stroke and cardiovascular disease, to include hypertension. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not meet the criteria for reopening the claims of service connection for COPD and coronary artery disease. The additional evidence received is not new and material.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability, tinea cruris, groin pain, and blackouts. The claim for left foot injury was also denied as there was no medical evidence connecting it to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus with end stage renal disease, diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic gastroparesis, and coronary artery disease is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that has not been reviewed by the RO.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a heart condition, including a bicuspid aortic valve condition. The Veteran's August 2006 claim was considered as reopening a previously denied claim by the Board in January 2004.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death. The heart disease was not related to his military service, and there is no evidence suggesting a connection between any of his service-connected disabilities and his death.