Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2026

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hypertension, GERD, CAD, and eczema due to duty-to-assist errors. The AOJ will obtain private medical records from various providers to fulfill VA's duty to assist.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to April 18, 2022 for Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent from April 18, 2022 to December 22, 2022 for IHD is pending and requires further development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. Additionally, he is eligible for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate due to his multiple service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease and cause of death due to acute myeloid leukemia. The remand includes obtaining a determination on eligibility for substitution, conducting development regarding herbicide exposure, verifying participation in toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs), and obtaining medical opinions on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acute myeloid leukemia.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his military service in the Philippines.

The Board has remanded the claims for coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, kidney disease, and peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to hypertension due to unclear herbicide exposure findings. The AOJ is required to properly develop toxic exposures under 38 U.S.C. § 1168.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU based solely on his service-connected lumbar spine disorder from April 16, 2016 until prior to June 24, 2016 is denied as the evidence does not support that he was unemployable due solely to this condition.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service connection claim for a heart condition, including atrial fibrillation and coronary artery disease, as secondary to herbicide agent exposure is not substantiated due to lack of evidence regarding in-service herbicide exposure. The case is being remanded again to attempt to locate relevant records.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of coronary artery disease, service connection for left and right ankle conditions have all been denied. The evidence does not support the presence or etiology of these conditions in relation to military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of 30 percent for service-connected coronary artery disease is dismissed from the Board's Legacy appeals system.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, along with other disabilities, rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to June 10, 2024. The appeal for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was denied.

The Board has determined that the AOJ erred in not obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents caused his cardiogenic shock, valvular heart disease, and/or pulmonary hypertension. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to credible reports of ongoing symptoms since service.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis, colonic bleeds, CAD, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus type II, left carotid stenosis, and sleep apnea are remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's cardiovascular disability, specifically hypertension and cardiomyopathy. The VA must obtain a formal finding of non-deployment related exposure and schedule the Veteran for a hypertension examination.

The Veteran's heart disorder, including atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and coronary artery disease, is presumed to have developed as a result of his service in Vietnam where he was exposed to herbicide agents. The appeal for this condition has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, hypothyroidism (Grave's disease), benign prostatic hypertrophy, and obstructive sleep apnea have all been denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease has also not been granted earlier than June 6, 2024.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for PTSD, heart condition, left-shoulder condition, and right-shoulder condition. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is intertwined with these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for CAD with coronary bypass graft, voiding dysfunction status post prostate cancer, DM type II with ED, and hypertension are denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during service or a link to service.

The Veteran's cause of death, cardiac insufficiency, is found to be related to his service-connected ischemic heart disease and hypertension, which are presumed due to herbicide agent exposure during service. The Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease with angina, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation have been granted effective from the date of receipt of claims. Pulmonary hypertension has also been granted as secondary to these conditions.