Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and an initial compensable rating for residuals of falciparum malaria due to lack of evidence supporting active disease or residual conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a heart disability and increased ratings for PTSD and diabetes mellitus with nephropathy. The issue of an increased rating for diabetes mellitus with nephropathy is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for erectile dysfunction, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and coronary artery disease have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD from November 30, 2007 was denied. The RO found that the Veteran's PTSD manifested with symptoms such as difficulty understanding complex commands and impairment of short and long term memory.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart condition is more likely related to his diabetes mellitus than to his service-connected hypertension, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's heart disorder, specifically congestive heart failure, is not shown to have existed in service and there is no evidence linking it to his service-connected Crohn's disease. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a heart disorder has been denied.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the veteran has coronary artery disease and/or heart disability, and whether any such disabilities are related to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board has decided that additional evidence is needed and a VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's coronary artery disease, which he contends is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction, does not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 10 percent. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has also been remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of rheumatic fever and heart disease is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination, as well as potential application of new presumptions regarding ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is found to be secondary to his service-connected nodular sclerosing Hodgkin's Lymphoma of the chest. The issue of a compensable rating for tooth #30 was withdrawn by the Veteran, and the issue of service connection for a cervical spine disability remains pending.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased evaluations of PTSD, coronary artery disease, and tinea pedis with onychomycosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease, finding that there was no evidence linking his current heart disability to active duty or inactive duty training.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his coronary artery disease was denied. Prior to February 4, 2009, he was rated at 30 percent; since then, the maximum rating of 60 percent has been granted.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is found to be causally related to his service-connected anxiety disorder, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

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

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, peptic ulcer disease, dysentery, and hypertension as accrued benefits purposes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for cerebrovascular accident, hypertension, headaches, and heart condition. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's heart disorder, thyroid disorder, and eye disorder were not found to be related to his military service. The skin disorder was not diagnosed until after separation from service and is presumed to have been caused by herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's cause of death is due to ischemic heart disease, which is presumed based on his service in the Gulf War. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.