Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2010

The Board found that the Veteran's atherosclerotic coronary artery disease had its clinical onset in service or within one year after discharge from service, and granted service connection for his cause of death.

The VA denied secondary service connection for cardiovascular disease, including hypertension and coronary artery disease (CAD), as the medical evidence does not support a link between the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and his current cardiovascular issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and a heart disorder, finding no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The Board also found insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between these disabilities and military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claim can be properly adjudicated, including providing VCAA notice and obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected anxiety neurosis caused or contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple conditions, including nausea, diarrhea, bleeding, increased susceptibility to infection, blood clots in legs, scars from infected scratches, pneumonia, high fever, rare virus, skin peeling off body, vomiting, growth on kidneys, boil on genitals, intestinal polyp, diverticulosis (claimed as irritation and small tear in intestine), pancreatitis (claimed as pancreas infection), headaches (claimed as pain on the side of his head), paroxysmal positional vertigo (claimed as inner ear problems with dizziness), memory loss and anxiety, coronary artery disease (claimed as heart attack), and pilonidal cyst were denied. The Veteran's only service-connected disability is malaria, rated noncompensably disabling.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his PTSD more likely than not caused or contributed to his CAD and hypertension, which substantially or materially contributed to his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is related to his military service. The heart condition was not shown to be incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to new evidence. However, it denied her increased pension benefits as she does not meet the criteria for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on a need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including heart disease with coronary artery disease and moderate to severe heart failure. He also qualifies for housebound benefits as he is over 65 years old and has multiple service-connected conditions that independently rate at or above 60 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease, status post bypass, is aggravated by his service-connected cardiac arrhythmia and auricular fibrillation, paroxysmal. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, renal disability, and upper and lower extremity disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease and angina, but additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to her service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, Type II have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in acquiring an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues related to service connection for residuals of cerebrovascular accident (claimed as stroke), hypertension, coronary artery disease, disability exhibited by high cholesterol, erectile dysfunction, insomnia, and bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the claimed conditions did not manifest during active service or within one year of service, and are not shown to have developed as a result of an established event, injury, or disease during active service.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for any of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and knee disorders. The Veteran's claims are denied.