Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for coronary artery disease, status post coronary bypass, was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The Board denied service connection for pes planus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, gout, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and degenerative joint disease of both knees. The Veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has reconsidered the Veteran's claims and found that new service personnel records received since the January 1998 rating decision are relevant to his diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease claims. As a result, these claims have been reopened.

The Veteran's service connection claims for prostate, bladder, kidney stones, hernia, heart and vision disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and heart disability are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, to include as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and review of his claims folder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, as well as an opinion from a cardiologist regarding the Veteran's heart conditions.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was rated as noncompensably disabling prior to November 21, 2002, and as 30 percent disabling on and after that date. The rating for the abdominal aortic aneurysm was restored to 100 percent effective July 1, 2004.

The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and thus denied his request to restore the previous 60 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and also denied his claim for service connection for a heart condition. The decision is final.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal on the issue of service connection for coronary artery disease has been dismissed due to a lack of timely notice of disagreement (NOD).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease are not service-connected, as they do not meet the criteria for direct service connection. The medical evidence does not support a finding of service connection based on secondary aggravation by service-connected conditions.

The Board found clear and unmistakable error in its March 1986 decision, which denied service connection for the cause of death due to a preexisting heart condition that was not aggravated by service. The Veteran died from complications related to his heart disease.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease secondary to hypertension based on the lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty in February 1995. As a result, the claim for secondary service connection was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for congenital heart disease as new and material evidence was not submitted, despite the Veteran having made multiple attempts.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for daily personal needs without regular assistance from others or to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of his daily environment, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities and their relationship to his service, including verification of dates of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for PTSD and a back condition, but denied reopening of his claim for heart condition. The Veteran was found to have engaged in combat during his Vietnam service, which supports his claim for PTSD. His back condition is also supported by evidence showing he participated in combat operations and had an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to obtain Social Security Administration records and incomplete VCAA notice.