Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2010

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no competent evidence to support the appellant's assertion that shrapnel in the Veteran's lung caused his lung cancer and contributed to his COPD.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable due to their severity.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for arteriosclerotic heart disease with myocardial infarction was granted prior to May 17, 2007. From May 17, 2007, the Veteran is entitled to a rating of at least 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current chronic heart condition and therefore cannot establish service connection for his claimed heart condition as secondary to diabetes mellitus or PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that hyperlipidemia is not a disability for VA compensation purposes and thus cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant is essentially so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance by another person, based on her physical disabilities including leg pain, loss of balance, deafness, vision loss, heart problems, arthritis, a thyroid disorder, constipation, stomach and pack pain, and fatigue. As such, the criteria for special monthly pension (SMP) are met.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded to determine if the Veteran was exposed to radiation during his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, polycystic kidney disease, and coronary artery disease as presumptively related to exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Gulf War.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling of medical examinations and readjudication.

The Board found that the Veteran's service connection claim for valvular heart disease, including a heart murmur, was not established as there is no evidence of any significant valvular heart condition during or after his military service. The Board concluded that the current heart murmur and valvular conditions are more likely related to the Veteran's advanced age rather than his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing at the Muskogee, Oklahoma RO.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disability and acquired psychiatric disability were not incurred in or aggravated by her active service. The pre-existing conditions are presumed to have existed prior to service, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to disprove this presumption.

The Board granted the Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for heart disease and remanded the issues of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for service-connected varicose veins of the left leg. The appeal was granted on both issues.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on a need for aid and attendance or on account of being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit due to his service-connected heart disease.

The Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease with bypass grafting are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions on the relationship between these conditions and his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development to determine his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current heart disease and liver disease/disorder, as well as their relationship to service or other factors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, respiratory condition, right knee condition, and skin rash were denied. The claim for heart disease was granted with a rating of unspecified.

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was granted as of April 11, 2003. The effective date cannot be earlier than this date.