Ischemic heart disease Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart disorder had its onset in service and is presumed to have been incurred due to his elevated cholesterol level. The claim for service connection for residuals of a low back injury was denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted since the July 1990 decision.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and congestive heart failure as secondary to the veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, bronchitis, heart disease, and hypertension are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of current disability or a link to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability and lung cancer due to tobacco use in service or secondary to nicotine dependence are not well-grounded.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for hypertension with coronary artery disease is being remanded due to inconsistencies in the examination findings and need for additional development of the record.

The Board has determined that further evidentiary development is needed, including determining the nature of the veteran's cattle farming operation and obtaining additional evidence regarding his service-connected disabilities. The claims for increased evaluations for coronary artery disease with hypertension and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine will be addressed separately.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, aortic stenosis, and bicuspid aortic valve (heart condition) and an initial noncompensable rating for the right knee disorder. The left knee disorder secondary to the right knee disorder is also addressed.

The Board found that the veteran's heart conditions were not present in service or for many years after service, and they were not caused by any in-service incident.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for chronic heart disability and hypertension. The newly submitted evidence is redundant and cumulative.

The veteran's claim for a heart disability as secondary to his service-connected PTSD is well-grounded, and the VA must consider whether the heart disability has been aggravated by PTSD. The RO should contact the veteran to arrange further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for nicotine dependence incurred in service. However, the claim of entitlement to service connection for a heart disorder on a direct basis is denied as there is no evidence linking it directly to service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a heart disorder, and frozen feet due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions as being incurred or aggravated by military service.

The veteran submitted new evidence showing he was called to active duty for training in May and June 1993, which may be relevant to his heart condition. The RO has reopened the claim based on this new information.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition is not well grounded, as there is no medical evidence linking his current cardiovascular disabilities to his active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a finding of new and material evidence for the claim regarding heart disease. For hearing loss and tinnitus, there was no current disability meeting VA compensation criteria.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for a heart disorder and PTB in July 1998 due to lack of well-groundedness.

The veteran's appeal is about the initial rating for his service-connected heart disease. The Board has ordered a remand due to the veteran not responding to a request for a personal hearing before a Member of the Board at the RO.

The veteran's spouse, the appellant, is seeking an increased apportionment of the veteran's VA benefits due to financial hardship. The Board has determined that a $600 monthly apportionment on behalf of the appellant is warranted and granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant is in need of regular aid and attendance due to her multiple medical conditions, which require assistance with daily activities. The claim for special monthly pension based on housebound status is denied as she already qualifies for aid and attendance.

The Board denied the reopening of the lung condition claim due to lack of new and material evidence, and found that the heart condition claim is not well grounded.