Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2026

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, finding that there is no current diagnosis of a heart condition and insufficient evidence to associate any symptoms with military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has precluded him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment throughout the period on appeal, warranting a TDIU. The Veteran is also entitled to SMC at the statutory housebound rate due to his separate service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disability and PTSD have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

An effective date of February 16, 2023, but no earlier, for the grant of service connection for hypertensive heart disease with valvular heart disease and atrioventricular block is granted. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded to determine if he was unemployable solely by reason of his service-connected hypertensive heart disease with valvular heart disease and atrioventricular block prior to November 14, 2023.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and Parkinson's disease are remanded due to uncertainty regarding herbicide agent exposure at Aberdeen Proving Ground. The case must be further developed under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has restored service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension due to a presumption of exposure based on service in or near the Korean DMZ. Service connection for scar as secondary to diverticulitis of colon is dismissed.

The Veteran's death was caused by bilateral bacterial pneumonia, dysphagia, and Alzheimer's dementia. The VA examiner concluded that the service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death. However, an additional medical opinion is required regarding whether hypertension, CAD, and/or other service-connected conditions contributed to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions of coronary artery disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are granted as they are etiologically related to herbicide agent exposure in Guam.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to September 10, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's current diagnosis of coronary artery disease, which involves compensable congestive heart failure, meets the definition of IHD under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeals for various ratings related to his service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, neck, heart, and stroke conditions.,There is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, including coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction, is granted as presumptively related to herbicide agent exposure during his active duty service at U-Tapao in Thailand. The Board found the Veteran's statements credible regarding his exposure event.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, PTSD, and residuals of radical prostatectomy with incontinence render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, bladder cancer, and diabetes mellitus type II due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of August 31, 2000 for the award of a separate 40 percent disability rating for hypertension.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for service connection of various conditions, including back condition, hypertension, rib condition, TMJ, TBI, fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, and heart disorder. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for loss of a child is denied as there is no current disability related to reproductive or genetic impairment.,Service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease is denied due to lack of in-service event and the absence of cardiovascular disease during active service.,Service connection for diabetes is denied as there is no diagnosis of diabetes at any time during the pendency of the claim.,Service connection for loss of gall bladder is denied as there is no evidence of a disability during or prior to service.,Service connection for loss of spleen is denied as there is no evidence of a disability during or prior to service.,Service connection for nephrolithiasis is denied due to lack of in-service event and the absence of chronic kidney condition at separation.

The Veteran's hypertension, coronary artery disease, and right eye blurred vision with branch retinal vein occlusion (eye stroke) are now service connected. The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease.