Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes, depressive disorder, hypertension (to include as secondary to diabetes), and a heart disorder due to lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.

The Veteran's death was caused by a myocardial infarction due to his service-connected hypertension, which led to atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease. The Board finds that the Veteran had hypertension in service and grants service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a heart disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board has determined that further development is needed due to the need for a VA medical examination and additional evidentiary development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and heart disorder, finding that these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service, may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated therein, and are not proximately due to his service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB).

The Board found that the appellant's lung disability is related to service, but could not determine if his heart disease was caused by or aggravated by his lung disability. The decision on heart disease remains pending.

The veteran is seeking service connection for coronary artery disease, CABG and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction. The Board has determined that the period of service from September 9 - 20, 1996 may be considered ACDUTRA, which could affect his claim. Therefore, the case is being remanded to verify this service status and determine if the veteran's condition was incurred or aggravated during this period.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to withdrawal by the appellant.

The Veteran's heart disability, including hypertensive heart disease, was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not presumed to have been incurred therein. Service connection for a left leg disability secondary to the heart disability is denied as there is no competent evidence linking such disability to service.,There is no medical evidence of a current bilateral hearing loss disability or any link between any incident of service, including claimed acoustic trauma, and the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not render him permanently bedridden or so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance. He is able to ambulate independently for short distances, is generally independent in self-care, is apparently able to feed himself, and is able to leave his house at his own discretion.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by service-connected conditions, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board found no evidence of a heart disability during service or within the presumptive period post-service, and concluded that any current heart condition is not related to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to his request for a hearing and need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and information from Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychopathic personality disorder, emotional instability with asocial behavior (claimed as marked anxiety and neurosis), bipolar disorder, and heart condition were denied. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural defects, including the need for an SOC on his claim of service connection for blood in the stool. The claims for CAD, residuals of status post ventral hernia repair, and residuals of status post appendectomy and partial cecectomy are secondary to his claimed condition of blood in the stool.

The Veteran's hypertensive ischemic heart disease and degenerative joint disease of the left ankle are currently rated at 10 percent each, but do not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on their current manifestations.

The Board has granted service connection for supraventricular tachycardia, finding that the Veteran's heart palpitations more likely than not began during military service. The issue of TDIU is remanded due to a timely notice of disagreement.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including VA examinations to evaluate the severity of his hepatitis C and whether his coronary artery disease is aggravated by his service-connected hepatitis C.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability and he did not have a permanent, total service connected disability at the time of his death. Therefore, entitlement to service connection for the cause of death is denied. The appellant's eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code has also been denied as there was no permanent total service-connected disability at the time of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current coronary artery disease is related to hypercholesterolemia initially identified in service, and grants service connection for this condition.