Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not encompass any disability of the eyes or upper extremities, and his lower extremity conditions are not severe enough to qualify for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection of a heart disability, including coronary artery disease. The medical opinion provided by a VA cardiologist supports the conclusion that the Veteran's current heart disability is more likely than not related to his in-service hyperlipidemia.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, major depression, bilateral foot disorder, headache disorder, and heart disorder (atriial fibrillation) have been granted. The bilateral foot disorder claim is denied as not being related to service. The headaches are considered a pre-existing condition that was not aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and further development is required.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his hypertensive cardiovascular disease and coronary artery bypass graft residuals.

The Veteran's service connection claim for CAD, status-post myocardial infarction and coronary artery bypass graft is granted. The claim for sleep apnea requires further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, including his acne vulgaris. The appellant did not provide evidence showing a link between malaria and the Veteran's later-developed conditions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for GERD, coronary artery disease, and hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's death was caused by lung cancer, which is not service-connected. Other significant conditions contributing to his death (atherosclerotic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and chronic lung disease) are also not service-connected.

The Board has restored the 10 percent rating for service-connected residuals of a left thumb fracture and granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's anxiety disorder is not shown to meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, mitral regurgitation, and coronary artery bypass graft with valve repair is currently rated at 30 percent disabling. Bilateral heel spurs with heel calluses are each rated at 10 percent disabling since January 9, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected heart disease is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's rheumatic heart disease existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination or medical opinion on his claim of service connection for alcohol dependency secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board found that the appellant's diabetes mellitus and heart condition did not manifest during a period of active duty or within one year after separation from such a period. The conditions are also not presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to certain environments or substances. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to service or carbon tetrachloride exposure, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in service. The Board also determined that the current heart disorder did not develop as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the cause of death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to require the aid and attendance of another. The non-service-connected age/senility with generalized body weakness, flexion contractures of the knees with loss of motion and multiple arthritis has rendered him so helpless as to require the aid and attendance of another.

The Board denied service connection for arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease and a disability manifested by loss of feeling in the arms and hands, finding no evidence of such conditions during or after service. The Veteran's claims were not related to active service.