Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2026

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at 100 percent effective April 13, 2023.,The Veteran's other trauma and stressor related disorder is rated at 70 percent effective April 13, 2023.

The Veteran's service-connected multiple myeloma precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 8, 2024, for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) with bypass graft, acute, subacute, or old myocardial infarction, automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator, and cardiomyopathy was denied. The Board found that the effective date should be April 8, 2024, as it is based on the date of receipt of his intent to file a claim for compensation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for CAD, heart block, and coronary artery bypass graft was granted with an effective date of January 9, 1998.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding various service connection claims and rating determinations due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to diabetes mellitus, have resulted in loss of use of both lower extremities. The Board has granted eligibility for specially adapted housing and dismissed the claim for a special home adaptation grant as moot.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, PTSD, and bilateral upper and lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy qualify him for SMC(m) based on the need for regular aid and attendance. The Board granted a whole step increase from SMC(l).

The appeal regarding attorney fees for past-due benefits awarded in an October 2024 rating decision has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for pulmonary fibrosis due to herbicide agent exposure, but denied service connection for ischemic heart disease. The issue of service connection for pulmonary embolism was dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including arteriosclerotic heart disease, a skin condition (chloracne), hypertension, and left thumb carcinoma, are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Veteran's death is attributed to multiple conditions, including chronic obstructive lung disease. The Board has decided that the service connection for the cause of death must be remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension, cerebrovascular accident, and coronary artery disease are found to be causally linked to his ME/CFS. Service connection for ME/CFS is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was granted with an effective date of August 10, 2022. This decision is based on the expansion of the Thailand presumption under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and heart failure have been granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. The claim for glaucoma has been denied as not related to service-connected conditions or in-service herbicide agent exposure.,Service connection for heart failure is granted secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and palsy of the sixth cranial nerve were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The VA opinions provided a strong rationale supporting the denial based on the Veteran's personal risk factors.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service-connected chronic lymphocytic leukemia and coronary artery disease are granted, with the earliest possible effective date being May 26, 2024.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings were dismissed as untimely. The Board found that the Veteran did not provide a timely appeal request, despite having received notification of the rating decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD and CAD disabilities are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its current severity and for the consideration of any outstanding private medical records.

The Board has determined that the VA did not provide a proper examination for the appellant's service-connected psychiatric disability, which is the primary reason for his inability to maintain substantially gainful employment. The case is being remanded to address this issue.