Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and a heart condition due to potential duty-to-assist errors. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records from his Reserve period of service and private providers.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was not granted service connection for any conditions, but his migraine headaches and neuropathy were found to be related to his service-connected lumbar strain with mild lumbar spondylosis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, left and right knee disabilities, diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities, and diabetes mellitus, render him unemployable. The Board has granted a TDIU effective February 2017, which also grants basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits prior to April 13, 2021. Special Monthly Compensation at the housebound rate is denied as of April 13, 2021.

All appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals related to these issues at a hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for heart condition, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service at RTAFB Ubon and RTAFB Udorn. The appeals are all granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disability and bilateral hearing loss. The heart disability is presumed due to herbicide agent exposure, while the hearing loss is attributed to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease is denied. The effective date of service connection for CAD has been set at March 9, 2016.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), both due to herbicide exposure, is granted.,Service connection for GERD secondary to PTSD is also granted. The Veteran has left lower extremity neuropathy but no current diagnosis of left upper or right lower extremity neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD) is not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service exposure or a nexus between CAD and service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 60 percent for CAD, status post CABG, is denied prior to February 18, 2025. From February 18, 2025, the Veteran's condition warrants a 60 percent rating based on METs testing showing heart failure symptoms at a workload of 3.1-5.0 METs. The claim for GERD is remanded.

The Veteran's heart disability and basal cell carcinoma of skin are being remanded for further review due to duty-to-assist errors. The claims will be reconsidered with the inclusion of additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart condition is granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The case is remanded for a VA clinician to provide an opinion on whether there is a nexus between the Veteran's diagnosed ischemic heart condition and his active-duty service, including exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and chronic kidney disease. The conditions are presumed to be associated with herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, including post-coronary artery bypass surgery and angioplasty, is related to his active duty service. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease, including post-coronary artery bypass surgery and angioplasty, is related to his active duty service. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Board has restored the Veteran's total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period from June 1, 2014, finding that there is not clear and convincing evidence of employability to warrant termination of TDIU benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee disability, hypothyroidism, hypertension, and hypertensive heart disease (secondary to hypertension) due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's kidney cancer residuals are rated at 60% prior to August 7, 2023, and at 80% thereafter. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, supraventricular tachycardia, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and iliac aneurysm as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA etiological opinion regarding the Veteran's diagnosed valvular heart disease, including whether it is related to service or caused by or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension.