Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2025

The Board granted a 100 percent evaluation for the service-connected heart disability from July 1, 2020 to March 3, 2023 and denied evaluations in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, 10 percent for tinnitus, and no compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for TDIU based solely on the service-connected heart disability was dismissed.

The Board remands the claims for further development due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board granted an effective date of July 17, 2023, for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease based on presumptive service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for benefits under the Home Improvement and Structural Alterations (HISA) program to remodel the entrance of his home, including railings on both sides and replacement of carpet, was granted.

The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, diabetic nephropathy, and lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the service-connected diabetes mellitus. The right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathies were denied.

The Board remands the issues of a higher rating for CAD with atherosclerosis and an earlier effective date for PVD to obtain additional evidence.

The Board granted service connection for lacunar infarcts/stroke and major vascular neurocognitive disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension, and an earlier effective date of June 26, 2021 for arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease). The initial rating for hypertension was denied.

The Board granted service connection for cardiomyopathy and remanded the claims for heart disorder, to include transient ischemic attack, chronic systolic heart failure, and heart disease. The claim for hypertension was denied.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, an increased rating for isolated systolic hypertension, and remanded the claims for increased ratings for shoulder arthritis and service connection for squamous skin cancer.

The Board granted the restoration of a 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease and earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition and bradycardia, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's period of active service.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected nephropathy with hypertension, DM II, left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathies, and CAD. However, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) was granted.

The Board remands the claim for a new medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's asbestos exposure contributed to his death.

The Board denied service connection for an ear disability but remanded claims for a heart disability and eczema due to potential exposure to toxins.

The Board remands the claim for a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cause of death, specifically addressing whether his respiratory failure, septic shock, hemorrhagic shock, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and chronic osteomyelitis of the right leg were related to in-service toxic exposure or an in-service right leg injury.

The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease, which is presumed to be due to in-service Agent Orange exposure.

The Board granted an initial rating of 30 percent for chronic pelvic pain and denied service connection for a heart condition.

The Board remands the claim for a heart disability to obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing whether the condition is etiologically related to active service and whether it was caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected left knee arthroplasty.

The Board granted service connection for a heart condition, to include atrial fibrillation, and denied service connection for hyperthyroidism. The Veteran's hypertension was also found not to warrant an increased initial compensable evaluation.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and heart disability due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during the Veteran's service.