Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic headache disorder was denied as there is no competent evidence of a current diagnosis. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, recurrent tinnitus, cardiac arrhythmia, chronic hypertension and coronary artery disease were also denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional service treatment records and a medical opinion regarding his heart disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and SSA disability benefits documents.

The Veteran's heart disability was rated at 30 percent from June 10, 2008 onwards. The Board found that a higher rating of 60 percent was warranted for the period from June 20, 2006 to December 7, 2006.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was rated at 30 percent prior to March 29, 2004 and remains at that level from March 29, 2004 onwards.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart condition, claimed as abnormal EKG, and his right ankle disorder are service-connected. The heart condition is considered a direct result of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) during which he was disabled from an injury incurred in line of duty. The right ankle disorder is also considered to have been incurred during ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have a combined rating of 90 percent, with at least one disability rated 40 percent or more. The Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's COPD, Heart Disease, Restless Leg Syndrome, and Bilateral Lower Extremity Neuropathy are all found to be related to service.

The Veteran's heart disease, which was service-connected, is considered a contributory cause of his death. As the claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is moot due to the grant of service connection for the cause of death, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board found that the Veteran's fatal cardiovascular disease was not related to his military service and did not find any evidence of a nexus between his service-connected disabilities and his death. The cause of death was attributed to myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his service-connected coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension were denied. The claim for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, PTSD, and CAD have been granted. The Veteran was awarded a 70% rating for PTSD effective June 28, 2006, and a 60% rating for CAD effective May 5, 2005.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for residuals of a cerebrovascular accident, coronary artery disease, and hypertension have been granted at the 10 percent level from May 5, 2005 to December 26, 2006.

The Veteran's current valvular heart disease is found to be attributable to an episode of rheumatic fever during his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD and secondary CAD have rendered him wheelchair-bound, unable to be independently mobile or perform several activities of daily living without the aid and attendance of another. As a result, he is in need of regular aid and attendance due to loss of use of both lower extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than December 22, 2006 for a 60 percent rating for rheumatic heart disease with aortic insufficiency and arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the case for further proceedings consistent with a March 2010 decision of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, which found that VA's decision on the accrued benefits claim did not comply with regulations and required issuance of a rating decision. The issue of service connection for heart disease, lung disorder, and diabetes mellitus for accrued benefits purposes is being remanded as well due to its inextricability from the issue of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's current obstructive coronary artery disease, status post stent placement, began during his active service and is considered incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation of his diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's neuropathic pain of the left leg is likely due to a peroneal nerve injury sustained during service. The VA will schedule an examination to determine if his CAD is related to his service-connected residuals of shell fragment wound.