Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board found no evidence that VA medical care caused the Veteran's additional heart, bone, or skin disabilities. The claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 were denied.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and it is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability. It may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease are not service-connected, and any secondary service connection claims have been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran had no heart condition during active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for septal deviation, service connection for tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, coronary artery disease (CAD), encephalopathy (claimed as headaches and vertigo), a bilateral hearing loss disability, neck injury residuals, and a lumbar spine disability. The decision also noted that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a heart condition and high blood pressure. The RO has combined these claims as characterized on the title page. A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of his claimed disabilities, including ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's heart disability is not manifested by more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure; a workload of greater than three METs but not greater than five METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness or syncope; or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 30 to 50 percent. As such, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for rheumatoid heart disease with mitral insufficiency is denied.

The Board denied service connection for cause of death due to COPD and other conditions, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to his death. The claim was reopened based on new evidence (diabetes mellitus), but this alone is insufficient to establish service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disease did not preexist his service and was not aggravated by it. The claim for service connection is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or immediately after service, and the post-service diagnosis occurred too long after separation to establish continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's hypertension and heart disease are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his service-connected anxiety disorder with panic disorder and depression.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased evaluations have been denied as there is no legal basis to grant these claims.

The Veteran is granted entitlement to payment or reimbursement for services performed in May 2007 on the air conditioning system of his 2000 Chevrolet Impala, as these services were deemed necessary due to a leak and required repair.

The Board found that the effective date of January 31, 2008 is the earliest effective date assignable for service connection for aortic valve disease and coronary artery disease as it was more than one year after the Veteran's separation from service in 1969.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and clarifying whether he desires a hearing on the issue of an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease) is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of a pre-existing heart condition in service and concluded that the Veteran's current arteriosclerotic heart disease is not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current heart condition is not related to his military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the June 4, 1985 rating decision did not contain CUE in assigning an initial noncompensable disability rating for residuals of a left tibial fracture with osteoarthritic changes and chronic chondromalacia of the knee. The denial was based on the evidence showing no functional limitations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart disorder, and a low back disorder. The Veteran did not provide competent evidence of current disabilities or link these conditions to his military service.