Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2009

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death based on aggravation of pre-existing rheumatic heart disease, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between the condition and service.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to his nicotine dependence, which is service-connected. However, the VA cannot grant DIC benefits based on tobacco use during service due to a new law enacted after June 9, 1998.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease, hypertension, and retinopathy as the Veteran does not have these conditions that were caused or aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection, finding no current diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy or other claimed conditions. The rating for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and information from the Social Security Administration.

The Veteran does not have arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, status post myocardial infarctions and coronary artery bypass grafting that is attributable to military service or caused by a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disorder secondary to the Veteran's service-connected moderately severe airflow obstruction with asthmatic component including asbestosis. The appeal regarding CUE in the March 22, 1979 rating decision is considered timely filed but not granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes, depressive disorder, hypertension (to include as secondary to diabetes), and a heart disorder due to lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.

The Veteran's death was caused by a myocardial infarction due to his service-connected hypertension, which led to atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease. The Board finds that the Veteran had hypertension in service and grants service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a heart disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board has determined that further development is needed due to the need for a VA medical examination and additional evidentiary development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and heart disorder, finding that these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service, may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated therein, and are not proximately due to his service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB).

The Board found that the appellant's lung disability is related to service, but could not determine if his heart disease was caused by or aggravated by his lung disability. The decision on heart disease remains pending.

The veteran is seeking service connection for coronary artery disease, CABG and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction. The Board has determined that the period of service from September 9 - 20, 1996 may be considered ACDUTRA, which could affect his claim. Therefore, the case is being remanded to verify this service status and determine if the veteran's condition was incurred or aggravated during this period.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to withdrawal by the appellant.

The Veteran's heart disability, including hypertensive heart disease, was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not presumed to have been incurred therein. Service connection for a left leg disability secondary to the heart disability is denied as there is no competent evidence linking such disability to service.,There is no medical evidence of a current bilateral hearing loss disability or any link between any incident of service, including claimed acoustic trauma, and the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not render him permanently bedridden or so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance. He is able to ambulate independently for short distances, is generally independent in self-care, is apparently able to feed himself, and is able to leave his house at his own discretion.

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

The Board found no evidence of a heart disability during service or within the presumptive period post-service, and concluded that any current heart condition is not related to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to his request for a hearing and need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and information from Social Security Administration.