Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has granted an effective date of April 22, 1999 for the grant of a 100 percent disability rating for rheumatic heart disease.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected coronary artery disease and hypertension, finding that both conditions do not warrant evaluations in excess of their current ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an organic heart disorder and for a compensable rating for his service-connected neurocirculatory asthenia, finding that there was no evidence of such disorders in service or related to service.

The veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected coronary artery disease was granted, but the RO reduced the rating to reflect that the disability existed prior to his second period of active service. The veteran also sought an earlier effective date for his total rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including hypertension and a heart condition, bilateral hearing loss, left hand condition, disability manifested by knots on the arms, left inguinal hernia, and dental condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims of service connection for high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease have been denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's arthritis of the elbows was not granted service connection. However, his degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with sciatica and rheumatic heart disease were granted service connection, along with noncompensable initial ratings for his shoulders.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her husband's death and for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound. The underlying disease process that led to her husband's death was not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for coronary artery disease; status post coronary artery bypass surgery. The claim is now considered on its merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to June 27, 1995, for the grant of service connection and a 60 percent evaluation for ischemic heart disease.

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart disability was aggravated during his active duty for training in October 1996, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, finding that there was no evidence linking it to a disease or injury in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and denied all of his claims.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of lung and heart disorders due to lack of timely perfection. The appeal remains pending for service connection of depression.

The veteran's service-connected heart disease does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound, nor does he qualify for specially adapted housing or a home adaptation grant due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran was unemployable as of July 3, 1996 and awarded TDIU benefits effective from that date. The effective date is set at July 3, 1996.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disability did not cause his death from a myocardial infarction, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has restored a 60% evaluation for the veteran's coronary artery disease with hypertension and hyperlipidemia effective July 1, 2001. The claim was previously rated at 30%. The decision also addressed an issue of restoring this rating.

The Board found that the veteran's rheumatic heart disease preexisted service and did not increase in severity during service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is currently rated at a 60 percent evaluation, effective from June 26, 1995.