Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his coronary artery bypass graft, arteriosclerotic occlusive peripheral vascular disease, bilateral carotid endarterectomies, and hepatitis C were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board found that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease, hypertension, and a heart murmur. The decision denied this request.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to new and material evidence. The heart disease that caused the veteran's death is considered to have been incurred during active service, though there is uncertainty about its presence in service or within one year post-service.

The veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability as a result of VA hospitalization and heart surgery in November and December of 1995. The case has been remanded to obtain medical records, conduct an examination, and readjudicate the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and arteriosclerotic heart disease, to include as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence of a relationship between the veteran's service-connected PTSD and his current conditions.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for cause of death and eligibility for dependents' educational assistance (DEA) as there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between the veteran's service, his service-connected condition, or any other conditions leading to his death.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chest pain and a heart condition, finding that there is no evidence of such conditions during active service or that they are related to any current service-connected disability.

The Board found that the veteran's heart disease with dilated cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death should be October 7, 2004.

The veteran's claims for increased initial ratings on appeal have been denied. The RO has granted service connection for the disabilities, but did not assign any specific disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and its secondary effects, including coronary artery disease with hypertension, myocardial infarction residuals, and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) residuals. The decision also grants secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease meets the criteria for a higher 60 percent rating, reflecting significant impairment in his ability to engage in physical activities.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, but finds that a service-connected disability did not contribute to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease as secondary to diabetes mellitus, finding that no claim for service connection prior to June 1, 2004 was received.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for medical records from Puerto Rico and New York National Guard service. The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded for further review.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to PTSD and denied entitlement to burial benefits based on service-connected death. The Board found that the service-connected PTSD did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected PTSD, and the Board finds that DIC benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 are denied.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a link between any of these conditions and the veteran's active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for depression and to restore the 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease, finding that the reduction was proper based on improvement in his condition.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a lung, heart, colon, stomach, or intestinal disability attributable to service. The claims for these conditions were denied.