Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2025

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis is granted a rating of 30 percent, the maximum allowed. The claims for increased ratings and service connection for other conditions are denied.

The Board denied increased ratings for a heart disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA eligibility. The claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction was remanded.

The Board granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board remands the claims for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent disability rating, SMC based on housebound criteria, and DEA benefits due to a need for additional medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, Type 2 due to a lack of evidence supporting in-service incurrence or aggravation. The claims for a heart condition and bilateral foot conditions were remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, attributing his systolic heart failure, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and coronary artery disease to active military service, including exposure to toxins.

The case is remanded to determine whether special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1114(s) and 38 CFR 3.350(i) was in effect from July 19, 2023, to May 31, 2024.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral pes planus, heart condition, back disorder, osteoporosis, and others, as additional development is necessary.

The Board grants service connection for hypertensive heart disease as secondary to the Veteran's already service-connected hypertension. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding a heart disability not yet service connected.

The Veteran's heart disability was granted a rating of 100 percent from May 10, 2023, while the claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent prior to that date and TDIU were denied.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of February 25, 2020, for the award of service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and scar, status post CABG procedure.

The Board grants service connection for headaches as the evidence supports a direct link to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, but granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran is granted a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to March 14, 2025, and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of June 9, 2017 for the service connection for heart condition and denied an earlier effective date than August 10, 2022 for hypertension under the PACT Act.

The appeal of whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen a claim of service connection for a left ankle fracture is dismissed. The Board will consider the Veteran's claims for service connection for a brain tumor and heart disease related to in-service exposure to commercial herbicides, PCBs, and asbestos.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and PTSD precluded him from securing and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and a compensable rating for hypertension, but granted special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(p).

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a heart disorder to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including obtaining additional medical opinions and treatment records.

The Veteran was granted an initial evaluation of 60 percent for coronary artery disease and 40 percent for diabetes mellitus, but the claims for higher ratings for chronic kidney disease and hypertension associated with diabetes mellitus were denied.