Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and heart disorder did not begin during or as a result of his military service. The psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as personality disorder, was also found to be unrelated to service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of various service-connected conditions were denied by the Board. The cardiovascular-renal disease with hypertension was not rated higher than 30 percent prior to January 12, 1998 and from January 12, 1998 onwards it was rated as no more than Class II consistent with 4 to 5 METs and left ventricular dysfunction. The hiatal hernia was rated as noncompensable before August 1, 2000 and compensable after that date. The right ear otitis externa was not rated higher than noncompensable. Conjunctivitis was inactive and hemorrhoids were not rated higher than noncompensable. The residuals of a fracture of the right fifth metacarpal (Major) were healed and without any objectively demonstrated functional loss.

The Board found that the veteran's anxiety disorder did not cause or contribute to his death, and denied service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD warrants a 100 percent rating, effective October 15, 1996. The claims for service connection for Type II diabetes, chronic lung disorder, chronic skin disorder, and heart disorder are denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic heart disability, including secondary to PTSD. The evidence did not establish that his current heart condition began in service or was related to his service-connected PTSD.

The VA determined that the veteran's cause of death, congestive heart failure, was not related to any service-connected disability. The Board found no evidence linking his current heart and hypertension conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for heart disease, finding no current evidence of a chronic condition and noting that any isolated findings during service were not confirmed by subsequent testing.

The Board has determined that the veteran's ischemic heart disease was not incurred or aggravated during active service and cannot be presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to any recognized hazard. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for gout and arthritis of multiple joints, as well as heart disease, cannot be granted based on the evidence provided. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted a waiver of recovery of the overpayment of DIC benefits for parents in the amount of $5,881.36 due to fault on both the part of the appellant and VA, and because repayment would create undue financial hardship.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim for a heart disorder, and also found that the acquired psychiatric disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, heart disease, a skin rash (to include as a result of exposure to herbicides), arthritis of multiple joints, and a circulatory disorder. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of current disabilities or onset during active duty.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for a heart disorder, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish continuity of symptomatology.

The Board found that the veteran did not file a claim for service connection for ischemic or arteriosclerotic heart disease after the regulation became effective in August 1993, and no such claim was pending at the time of his death. Therefore, accrued benefits are denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant timely perfected an appeal of the November 1998 rating action denying service connection for the cause of the veteran's death. The decision is granted.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death on the merits, finding that there was no evidence linking his death to any condition incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tendonitis of the left forearm, costochondritis, a heart disorder, and gastroenteritis due to lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than March 10, 1998, and a rating in excess of 30 percent for arteriosclerotic heart disease. The veteran was granted service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease with hypertension but not before March 10, 1998.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and denied DIC pursuant to the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has reviewed the evidence and determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for a spine condition, vision impairment, heart condition, and hypertension. The veteran's current disabilities are currently being considered under other criteria.