Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than July 14, 2004 for a 100 percent rating for arteriosclerotic heart disease and a separate 10 percent rating for hypertension was denied as there is no evidence of an increase in disability within the year prior to July 14, 2004.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Arthritis, Heart Disease, Bronchitis, and Residuals of a Gunshot Wound to the Left Foot. The claims are denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for rheumatic heart disease, inactive, with mild aortic valve regurgitation. The Board has determined that additional medical opinion is needed to determine if this condition is related to his military service.

The veteran's cause of death was listed as an acute myocardial infarct due to atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, with hypertensive cardiovascular disease noted as a significant condition contributing to the death.,The veteran did not have service-connected disabilities that contributed to his death.

The Board found that the veteran's coronary artery disease and bilateral peripheral neuropathy were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The veteran died in August 1999. The Board determined that the May 1992 rating decision denying service connection for hypertension was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and granted service connection for hypertension, arteriosclerotic heart disease, and coronary artery disease with status-post coronary artery bypass grafting effective September 26, 1991. The appellant was paid accrued benefits for the period from September 1, 1997, through August 1, 1999.

The veteran's tinnitus is likely attributable to service secondary to noise exposure, and the Board finds that the veteran has established service connection for this condition. The heart condition and depression are found to be less likely related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is at least as likely as not a cause or aggravator of his coronary artery disease (CAD), thus granting service connection for CAD secondary to service connected diabetes.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the veteran's claims of increased rating for chronic bronchial asthma and service connection for coronary artery disease.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for chest pain treatment were reimbursed as it was an emergent situation and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to arteriosclerotic heart disease, which is considered a direct result of his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, left ankle sprain, and hypertension/heart disease (now claimed as a heart murmur). The claims for degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder and residuals of in-service left great toe injury have been granted.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of service connection for steroid-induced diabetes mellitus, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass graft as secondary to service-connected postoperative residuals of a discectomy at L4-5 with chronic lumbosacral strain.

The Board has granted service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease as secondary to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, based on a presumption of exposure to herbicides in service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, valvular heart disorder, and arthritis. The claim to reopen the issue of service connection for swollen joints was also denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted. The veteran's nasal fracture with nasal deformity was granted service connection but assigned a noncompensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the right knee, heart disease, gastrointestinal disease, and pulmonary disease. The appeals were not about service connection at all, as they pertained to eligibility for non-service connected pension benefits.

The veteran's asbestosis is rated at 60 percent disabling from May 3, 2006. The Board found that the veteran's subjective complaints of shortness of breath and progressive dyspnea warranted a 30 percent rating prior to May 3, 2006, and a 60 percent rating thereafter.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation for heart disease under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, and later granted the benefit in October 2003. The appellant sought payment of attorney fees by VA from past-due benefits awarded as a result of this grant, but the appeal is denied due to lack of legal merit.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a heart disability that he believes was caused by his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the veteran for an examination, is necessary before this claim can be decided.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical services provided by private facilities is being remanded due to the need for further development and review.