Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder, to include a Grade I systolic murmur, and back and neck disorders have been denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a heart condition, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The issue of whether rectal cancer is related to service will be further addressed.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound was denied. The denial is due to insufficient evidence showing that he requires aid and attendance or is substantially confined to his home.

The Veteran's valvular heart disease is not considered service-connected due to the presumption of soundness at entry, and there is no clear evidence that it was aggravated by service. The pre-existing rheumatic fever is presumed to have existed prior to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, diagnosed as arteriosclerotic heart disease, claimed as angina, finding that there was no evidence of aggravation beyond the natural progression of his pre-existing condition during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease, status post heart attacks due to a lack of evidence of herbicide exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service, including exposure to biological experiments.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea, COPD, hypertension, and CAD are not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arrhythmia and coronary artery disease, as well as higher ratings for his bilateral knee and hip disorders. The decision also granted a 70 percent rating for right total hip replacement since March 1, 2008, and a 70 percent rating for left total hip replacement since July 1, 2007.

The Board has determined that an additional medical examination and opinion are needed to clarify the etiology of the Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD) and whether it is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disorder, visual impairment, low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and skin disorder of the nose. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected and denied both claims for accrued benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not cause or substantially contribute to his death. The evidence showed that he had a history of heart problems prior to his PTSD diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not qualify as a Nehmer class member for diabetes mellitus, and thus an effective date prior to May 8, 2001 is denied.

The Board has determined that none of the Veteran's claimed disabilities are related to his service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. As a result, service connection is denied for all issues.

The Board found no evidence of a current stroke or its residuals, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of stroke as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease.

The Board found that the March 2000 rating decision denying DIC benefits did not contain clear and unmistakable error, thus denying the appeal.

The Veteran's death was due to chronic renal failure, which is not service-connected. The Board denied DIC benefits under Section 1318 and accrued benefits.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review it.