Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for a lung condition and heart condition, but remanded claims for sinus conditions, headaches, kidney conditions, liver conditions, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and an increased initial disability evaluation of 100 percent for coronary artery disease with stable angina, bypass surgery including old myocardial infarction and atrial fibrillation (CAD). The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as anxiety, an aneurysm disability, a respiratory disability, a headache disability, and total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) were remanded.

The Board granted the restoration of a 60 percent rating for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, status-post CABG and percutaneous coronary intervention effective April 1, 2025.

The Board granted service connection for a heart disability, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension due to exposure to herbicide agents during military service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and an initial rating for MRSA residuals, as well as secondary conditions related to those residuals, due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for a service-connected heart condition and retinopathy to correct duty to assist errors related to obtaining private treatment records.

The Board granted service connection for a heart disability, but remanded the issues of an increased rating for major depressive disorder and service connection for a respiratory disability.

The Board remands the claims for further development and readjudication, including review of additional evidence submitted after the March 2025 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board denied service connection for heart palpitation/heart condition and atypical chest pain as the evidence did not support a finding of a current disability related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disability is rated at 60 percent, and he is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, to include coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure and left dilated left atrium, based on the Veteran's presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his active service in Vietnam.

The Board remands the claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for service-connected conditions, as well as a TDIU claim, due to insufficient evidence regarding private treatment records and medical opinions.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for valvular heart disease to obtain an addendum opinion that addresses all conceded toxic exposure risk activities, including burn pits and other environmental toxins.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, finding no evidence of a causal relationship between his participation in a toxic exposure risk activity and his diagnosed heart conditions.

The Board remands the claims for an increased rating and earlier effective date for heart disability, increased rating for prostate cancer, special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance, and entitlement to TDIU due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board granted the restoration of a 40% evaluation for thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease with discogenic low back syndrome, spinal stenosis and history of lumbar strain. Service connection was denied for chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, heart condition to include palpitations (also claimed as cardiac arrhythmia), irritable bowel syndrome, residuals from stroke or a heat stroke, respiratory insufficiency (dyspnea), restless leg syndrome (RLS), obstructive sleep apnea, and migraine headaches.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal before a decision was issued, and all service connection claims were dismissed.

The Board remands the claims for an increased rating and earlier effective date for heart disability, increased rating for prostate cancer, special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance, and entitlement to TDIU due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to his failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board denied an initial evaluation higher than 60 percent for coronary artery disease based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's left ventricular ejection fraction was between 45 to 50 percent and METs testing resulted in a workload of 3 to 5 METs, which did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.