Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2025

The Board granted an effective date of November 12, 2020, for the award of service connection for sick sinus syndrome with POTS status post pacemaker placement.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, heart conditions, skin cancer, and sleep apnea to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Board granted service connection for ischemic heart disease on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure, but remanded the claim for further development regarding a lung condition.

The Board granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities, to include PTSD and anxiety disorder, cervical spine pain, onychomycosis, and skin conditions. The claim was denied for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted an effective date of August 10, 2022, for the grant of service connection for hypertension but denied earlier effective dates for heart disability and sleep apnea.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism due to untimely appeals, while remanding the claims for hypertension and arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease) for further development.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, but remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and related conditions, as well as obstructive sleep apnea and the Veteran's cause of death.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for heart condition, low blood pressure, and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy to obtain additional evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed exposures in Vietnam and to conduct a VA examination.

The appeal was partially successful, with the claim for tinnitus being granted and other claims remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease has been found to preclude substantially gainful employment, and as such, he is entitled to special monthly compensation based on the criteria for housebound status prior to October 11, 2024.

The Board granted service connection for a heart condition associated with the Veteran's service-connected varicose veins, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for a heart disorder and hypertension, as the March 2025 VA examination did not fully address the required questions.

The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is dismissed as moot because the Veteran has been granted 100 percent ratings for coronary artery disease and posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date prior to August 10, 2022, for service-connected conditions as the October 2024 Supplemental Claim was not a valid appeal.

The Board denied service connection for cardiac arrhythmia, coronary artery disease, and a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for service connection of chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic sinusitis, functional abdominal pain syndrome with abdominal pain and bloating, irritable bowel syndrome, respiratory insufficiency and dyspnea, left knee disability, right knee disability, and low back disability were remanded.

The appeal to restore the 50 percent rating for a scar of the middle and lower posterior neck with disfigurement was granted, while the claim for an increased rating for a painful scar of the lower posterior neck with failed skin graft and the claim for a higher rating for CAD were denied. The claim for CAD was remanded.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a heart disability, hypertension, and stroke due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicide agents or dioxins.

The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) with chronic congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy, as well as sleep apnea, both of which are linked to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board denied the claims for accrued benefits for service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, lung cancer, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as the Veteran did not have a timely appeal of the final rating decisions.