Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for a deviated nasal septum, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and the aggravation of coronary artery disease by the service-connected deviated nasal septum. The decision is based on direct service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart condition, including atrial fibrillation, and migraine headaches. The decision is based on the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to May 28, 2015 was denied as the condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7005.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 60 percent for ischemic heart disease from July 1, 2014, to September 8, 2022.

The Board has denied direct service connection for hypertension due to lack of evidence showing its onset during active duty or verified period of ACDUTRA. The appeal is now remanded for further development, including obtaining addendum opinions addressing the etiology of hypertension and hypertensive heart disease as well as obesity's role in causing these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes, and transient ischemic attack are remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions. Additional development is needed including obtaining updated treatment records and providing addendum VA opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for additional examinations. The issues include prostate cancer, bladder bleeding with blood clots, heart disability, diabetes mellitus, neurological impairment of upper extremities, cervical spine disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Veteran's spouse, D.A., was added as a dependent for VA compensation purposes. The Veteran also received an increase in rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 60 percent for ischemic heart disease is denied. The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from June 26, 2024, is granted.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to his service-connected disabilities, as there was no evidence showing that these conditions caused or contributed to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for idiopathic focal amyotrophy due to exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) during active duty. The heart disability claim is remanded as the AOJ did not obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current diagnoses qualify as ischemic heart disease under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e).

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, boxer's fracture left 5th metacarpal, or left ear hearing loss disability. Service connection was granted for lumbar spine disability, lower extremity radiculopathy, chronic diarrhea, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating and TDIU for CAD prior to January 18, 2024 are being remanded due to the need for new VA medical opinions to address the severity of his condition during that period.

The Veteran's heart disease, hypothyroidism, and hypertension are presumed to be associated with in-service exposure to herbicide agents. Therefore, the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has restored service connection for hypertension, chronic kidney disease and renal insufficiency, arteriosclerotic heart disease, tonic-clonic seizures or grand mal epilepsy, and anterior trunk scar due to clear and unmistakable error in the original award of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart condition. The case will be reviewed again with a new opinion.

The Veteran's tension headaches are now rated at 50% effective December 20, 2024. Service connection for valvular heart disease is granted with a 60% rating from December 18, 2015 to November 5, 2024 and a 100% rating thereafter. The Veteran's service connection claim for CKD remains pending.

The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease and stroke are granted as secondary to service-connected hypertension.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension is denied.

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