Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2026

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for a heart disability and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) due to errors in obtaining necessary evidence. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents or contaminated water during active service needs to be verified, and relevant Social Security Administration records need to be obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease may be service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents, but needs further medical evaluation to confirm a current diagnosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of coronary artery disease due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran was awarded a 100% rating for his service-connected heart disability, SMC based on housebound criteria, and DEA benefits effective January 30, 2024. The Appellant is not eligible for fees based on past-due benefits awarded to the Veteran pursuant to this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent effective April 30, 2024. The Veteran's hypertension does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. Service connection for a heart condition and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence for the claim of service connection for hypothyroidism, which was previously denied. The Veteran's exposure to solvents and degreasers during service is now considered in the decision. The issue of service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to hypothyroidism is also remanded.

The Veteran's death was caused by cardiopulmonary arrest, with congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and coronary artery disease presence of stent as the underlying cause. The Board has determined that there is a need for additional medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension, which he had during service, contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for chronic rhinitis was denied.,Service connection was granted for bilateral upper extremity and lower extremity non-diabetic peripheral neuropathy, as well as coronary artery/arteriosclerotic heart disease s/p coronary artery stent placement.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, as it did not result in more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 30 to 50 percent within the past year.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee injury, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy should be remanded due to a failure to obtain adequate medical opinions addressing all theories of entitlement raised by the record.

The Veteran's cause of death is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The VA examiner did not address the positive nexus opinions from private physicians, which may have impacted their conclusion on whether the service-connected varicosities caused or aggravated his hypertension and ultimately contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II was granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the Republic of Vietnam. The effective date is set at the earliest possible date, which would be February 6, 2017, as that is when the Veteran filed an intent-to-file form.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) were both denied. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as they only resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's diabetes and coronary artery disease are presumed to have been caused by his exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Korean DMZ.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease is granted based on presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of adequate VA examination reports, which are necessary to determine the relationship between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his military service.

The appeal for a higher rating for ventral hernia has been withdrawn and dismissed. The appeals for service connection of heart condition, including atrial fibrillation (AFIB) and aortic regurgitation, and high blood pressure have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of coronary artery disease (CAD) is being remanded due to a duty to assist error regarding the November 2021 echocardiogram and whether dyspnea can be attributed to CAD.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with unspecified depressive disorder has not met the criteria for a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery bypass graft surgery due to coronary artery disease does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's lung disability and sinusitis claims are denied as there is no current diagnosis.,The deferred right foot disability claim is dismissed due to a premature Notice of Disagreement.,Heart and diabetes mellitus claims are remanded for additional etiology opinions regarding herbicide exposure.,Allergic rhinitis and bilateral shoulder disabilities claims are remanded for new etiology opinions considering toxic exposure risk activities (TERA).