Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2009

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was rated at 60 percent prior to July 9, 2008, but was increased to 100 percent effective that date.

The application to reopen the claim for service connection for a heart condition, to include rheumatic heart disease, was denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for higher initial ratings, earlier effective dates and service connection for a heart condition.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder and organic brain syndrome as there is no evidence of an in-service injury, disease, or event that caused these conditions, nor any evidence linking them to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition was denied, while his initial disability rating for hemorrhoids was granted at 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death and basic eligibility for non-service-connected death pension benefits due to lack of evidence linking the Veteran's death to his recognized service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for additional death pension benefits based on a need for aid and attendance, as the evidence did not show that she was in need of regular aid and attendance prior to July 22, 2002.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary artery disease (to include congestive heart failure) were all granted service connection.

The Board granted service connection for a heart condition, finding that it was directly related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and originated in service.

The appeal was partially denied, with the claim for service connection for chest pains being denied and the claims for residuals of a right eye injury being reopened.

The appeal is remanded to obtain complete clinical records and a medical opinion to determine if the Veteran was stabilized at Lutheran Hospital of Indiana.

The Veteran's heart disability has been aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage rating standards for TDIU, and his service-connected disabilities are not of such severity as to preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the appellant's claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran was granted a 60 percent rating for CAD, status post bypass surgery associated with hypertension effective December 19, 2003.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was denied as there is no credible supporting evidence that a claimed in-service stressor occurred, and any recorded diagnosis of PTSD is not based on a stressor event corroborated by independent and credible supporting evidence.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's coronary artery disease.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen a claim for service connection for heart disease and denied entitlement to service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The Board determined that the grants of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and impotence were clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied the claims for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 and § 1318, finding that VA did not fail to timely diagnose or treat metastatic prostate cancer, nor was the Veteran's death due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar incidence of fault on the part of VA.