Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, including aortic valve disease and hypertension. The claim is therefore denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with anxiety affecting stuttering, and thus denied the claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death was not related to his service-connected disabilities, including his cold injuries. The preponderance of evidence indicated that the Veteran's coronary artery disease did not stem from his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's medical expenses at St. Francis Heart Hospital were reimbursed as the VA facilities were not feasibly available and the emergency situation had not resolved prior to his discharge.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not cause or contribute to his death from a stroke. The Veteran died of a stroke, which was not caused by any incident of service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer and heart disease, as well as his increased rating claims for arthralgia with gout and right ankle traumatic arthritis. The decision also noted that prior to the hearing, the Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding prostate cancer.

The service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder aggravated the underlying heart conditions resulting in death, and is therefore considered a contributory cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for coronary artery disease, either as directly incurred during service or secondary to his service-connected PTSD and/or diabetes mellitus. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition as there is no competent evidence showing he has this disability since separation from service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including osteoarthritis of the right hip and knee, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease (claimed as a heart disorder), left hip dislocation, ocular hypertension, urethra neuritis, and prostate cancer. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claims for secondary service connection are denied as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran is granted special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to multiple service-connected disabilities. However, he does not qualify for housebound benefits as his combined disability rating exceeds 60%.

The Veteran was granted service connection for vascular disease, but denied service connection for heart disease. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension is denied.,An effective date earlier than April 19, 2004 for the award of a total rating based on individual unemployability is barred due to the one year rule.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 100 percent for arteriosclerotic heart disease, effective from the date service connection was established (May 8, 2001). The appellant's condition is characterized by chronic congestive heart failure.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating claim for service-connected left ear hearing loss was denied. His valvular heart disease claim was also denied as there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, heart condition, neuropathy of the lower extremities, arthritis of the right leg and arthritis of the back, all related to exposure to herbicide. The decision also noted that sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has decided that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a heart condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for prostate cancer remains pending.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of hiatal hernia and coronary artery disease have been withdrawn. The Board is dismissing these issues as the appellant has requested withdrawal.