Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for coronary artery disease (also claimed as ischemic heart disease) is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error regarding the Veteran's service in the Republic of Vietnam. The Appellant seeks service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, alleging exposure to herbicide agents contributed to his hypertension and coronary artery disease.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, ischemic heart disease (diagnosed as arteriosclerotic heart disease), hypertension, bilateral diabetic upper extremity neuropathy, bilateral diabetic lower extremity neuropathy, and diabetic nephropathy on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for non-obstructive coronary artery disease and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after separation, and that his current heart conditions are not related to active service or exposure to toxins.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a heart condition due to inadequate medical opinions addressing the relationship between these conditions and his service-connected disabilities, including consideration of conceded toxic exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions and issues have been dismissed due to untimeliness of the Notice of Disagreement (NOD).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral upper extremity disabilities and tinnitus rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of December 5, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for coronary artery disease and entitlement to Dependents' Educational Benefits (DEA) prior to March 29, 2023 were dismissed.,The Veteran's left foot disorder and respiratory disorder (asthma) have been granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension due to toxic chemical exposure during military service, specifically at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's MOS as a Bulk Fuel Man may have resulted in such exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claim for DEA benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 was granted effective April 17, 2024, based on his multiple service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is April 17, 2024, which the Veteran has been granted and believes to be the correct date.

The Board has remanded several claims due to duty-to-assist errors and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's disabilities, including their relationship to service.

The Veteran's entitlement to a rating of 60 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted starting from July 25, 2025. Prior to this date, the Veteran was rated at 10 percent and 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of ischemic heart disease has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development to verify the Veteran's alleged exposure to herbicide agents during service and associate a TERA Memorandum with the record.

The Veteran's service connection claims for pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial lung disease, hypertension, monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS), and coronary artery disease are all granted. The Board found that the evidence was in approximate balance regarding exposure to herbicides at Fort Drum during service, which likely contributed to the development of these conditions.

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 case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart disability, including myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service, specifically his exposure to toxic fumes from burn pits during active duty in Southwest Asia.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and obesity as a result of service-connected lumbar spine disorder and left lower extremity femoral and sciatic radiculopathy due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's obesity was caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, and if so, whether it contributed to his ischemic heart disease.