Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a failure to provide proper VCAA notice regarding what evidence is needed to reopen and establish service connection.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, back condition, sciatica, Bell's palsy, and heart condition. The effective date of the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus is set to November 17, 2005.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, a psychiatric disorder, and a heart condition.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions, specifically atherosclerotic coronary artery disease and ischemic cardiomyopathy. The Board finds that these conditions did not contribute substantially or materially to the cause of death.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including providing proper notice and obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or contributed to his death.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim to service connection for a heart disorder and found new and material evidence. The left ear hearing loss issue is remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a cardiovascular or heart disorder, and thus cannot grant service connection for the Veteran's claimed condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA medical records and to provide a VA medical opinion regarding whether the heart conditions he developed were caused by VA medical treatment from 1994 to 2001.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development of records and medical evidence, including SSA benefits records and VA treatment records from the Veteran's period of active duty and Reserve service.

The Board found that a current heart disorder was not incurred in service and is unrelated to any injury, disease or event during service. The claim for service connection for the Veteran's heart disorder was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed kidney disorder, liver disorder, or residuals of a stroke. The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is not found to be the cause of his current heart disease.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining treatment records from VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics in Newark and Jersey City, New Jersey.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations and therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for this condition. Additionally, there is no evidence of a pulmonary embolism during or after his military service, and the medical opinion indicates it is less likely related to his service-connected costochondritis. As such, the Veteran's claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to a post-surgical stroke, but his service-connected rheumatic heart disease with murmur and rheumatic fever with joint involvement are not considered the primary or contributory causes.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability evaluation from 70% to 30% for rheumatic heart disease with cardiac neurosis and depression is not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development and consideration of his claim for a higher disability rating for rheumatic heart disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his coronary artery disease, bilateral knee sprain, lumbosacral strain, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of the current ratings under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's death was not caused by VA medical and surgical treatment, and the appellant is denied DIC benefits. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability resulting from coronary artery bypass graft and heart valve replacement is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) status post myocardial infarction, finding that new and material evidence had not been received. The July 2004 rating decision denying service connection was final.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's heart disorders are being evaluated to determine if they were caused or aggravated by his service-connected restrictive lung disease due to asbestosis.