Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for malignant neoplasms of bilateral breasts and denied service connection for hypertensive heart disease.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and higher ratings, but granted a 20% rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the right and left lower extremities, as well as TDIU from March 30, 2011 to February 14, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and denied increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including residuals of fragment wounds left thigh and both buttocks with retained metallic fragments, right lower extremity scar, left lower extremity scars, painful fragment wound scars, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), ischemic heart disease, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and hypertension.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral cataracts and left knee disability, but denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and STD. The effective date for hypertension was also denied as earlier than September 8, 2023.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and denied increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including residuals of fragment wounds left thigh and both buttocks with retained metallic fragments, right lower extremity scar, left lower extremity scars, painful fragment wound scars, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), ischemic heart disease, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and hypertension.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of October 11, 2021, for the grant of individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation based on persistent depressive disorder.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a heart disability due to an inadequate VA examination and opinion.

The Board granted an effective date of April 26, 2021, but no earlier, for service connection for coronary artery disease and a 30 percent rating from January 30, 2023, for hiatal hernia with Barrett's metaplasia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), while denying an effective date prior to August 10, 2022, for service connection for hypertension.

The Board remands the claim for a new medical opinion to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cause of death, specifically regarding its relation to presumed herbicide agent exposure.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for hypertension, ischemic heart disease, parkinsonism (also claimed as tremors), and shortness of breath to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error related to verifying the Veteran's claimed herbicide agent exposure in Okinawa.

The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, attributing it to coronary artery disease, which was presumed to be related to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension based on presumptive exposure to Agent Orange during the Veteran's service in Vietnam.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms had their onset during active service. The claims for a heart condition and respiratory complaints were remanded for further examination.

The Board granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II due to exposure to herbicide agents during active service. The claim for colon cancer was remanded for further development.

The Board denied the claim for entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate due to a lack of evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease or post-traumatic stress disorder alone rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer and its associated residual symptoms, and diabetic left foot cellulitis and a residual scar as they were not shown in service or for many years thereafter and are not otherwise etiologically related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection due to a need to verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and obstructive sleep apnea to schedule VA examinations addressing the Veteran's contentions.

The appeal seeking service connection for multiple conditions was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his request before the Board promulgated a decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, hypothyroidism, a heart disorder, and prostate cancer as new and relevant evidence was not received to support readjudication of these claims.