Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2025

The Veteran was granted an initial 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease status post myocardial infarction and coronary artery bypass graft surgery with atrial fibrillation, effective April 1, 2016.

The Board denied the appellant's appeal for a higher initial rating for the Veteran's heart condition, finding that an initial rating greater than 60 percent was not warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance and housebound status due to a lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities necessitated regular aid and attendance or confined him to his home.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension and tinnitus, but denied service connection for a left wrist condition, chronic fatigue syndrome, dry mouth, and a skin condition. Several claims were remanded for further development.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for a heart disability, other than neurocardiogenic syncope, due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches was granted, effective November 1, 2022. The claims for a higher rating for tinnitus and TDIU were denied.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and heart disease based on the evidence supporting a direct link to the Veteran's military service.

The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, a heart condition, and irritable bowel syndrome based on in-service exposure to toxins.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension and ischemic heart disease, to include coronary artery disease, based on the Veteran's credible testimony of exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Korea.

The appeal for service connection for various conditions was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's heart condition as secondary to his GERD with hiatal hernia and gastritis, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, heart disorder, residuals of stroke, and obstructive sleep apnea to correct duty to assist errors.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, finding no evidence to support a causal relationship between the condition and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a bilateral ankle disorder, and a heart disorder. The Veteran's initial ratings for tinnitus, gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), lumbosacral strain, bilateral shin splints, right knee strain with crepitus, and left ear hearing loss were also denied.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent for the period from September 20, 2022 to June 13, 2023 and a 60 percent evaluation from October 1, 2023, but denied an earlier effective date prior to September 20, 2022.

The Board remands the appeal to ensure proper notice and scheduling of a VA examination for the Veteran's heart disorder claim.

The appeal for proposed rating reductions of the left and right ankle disabilities was dismissed, as they are not appealable. The claim for service connection for a low back condition could not be readjudicated due to lack of new relevant evidence. Service connection for tinnitus was denied, while the issue of entitlement to service connection for a heart condition was remanded.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of multiple joints and chronic chest pain, but granted service connection for chronic renal disease.

The Board granted service connection for a heart disability, to include arteriosclerotic heart disease, CAD, valvular heart disease, ventricular arrhythmia, and superventricular arrhythmia, based on the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Okinawa.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the 30 percent disability rating for coronary atherosclerosis, finding no evidence of a factually ascertainable increase in severity prior to February 12, 2020.