Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2026

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease due to a full grant of benefits for diabetes mellitus type II, which was established in a prior decision. The claim for ischemic heart disease is denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating due to incomplete development of the Veteran's service personnel records, particularly regarding his alleged service in Thailand. The claims are also remanded for a finding on whether he had such service.

The Veteran's heart condition, left and right sciatic diabetic neuropathies are all granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The initial disability ratings for both conditions have been increased to 40 percent.

The appeal for service connection for rupture of the tympanic membrane is dismissed. The claim for service connection for a heart disability, to include atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, arteriosclerotic heart disease, implanted cardiac pacemaker, sick sinus syndrome, and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, has been reopened and granted. The appeal for service connection for sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a TDIU from March 25, 2013 to July 3, 2013 due to his service-connected disabilities. The appeal also failed to establish entitlement to SMC prior to February 11, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD, coronary artery disease (CAD), and diabetes type II with lower-extremity peripheral neuropathy (PN) render him unemployable and require a need for regular aid and assistance such that he should be awarded a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) for aid and attendance (A&A).

The Veteran's hypertension and ischemic heart disease are granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty.

The Veteran's heart disability, including coronary bypass graft with coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction, to include tricuspid valve regurgitation, is rated at 100 percent effective as of the date of the March 2025 decision.

The Veteran's heart disability was granted a 100% rating from December 12, 2024 to February 13, 2025 due to hospital admission for quintuple bypass surgery. A higher rating is denied after this period.

The Veteran's appeals for effective dates prior to June 21, 2025, for service connection and special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating in excess of 100 percent for service-connected schizophrenia has been denied. The appeal for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities has also been denied.

The Board has granted readjudication of the claims for hypertension and prostate cancer, finding new evidence relevant to these claims. The claim for CAD with stent placement, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and sinus node dysfunction status post pacemaker is denied.,Service connection was not established for coronary artery disease (CAD) due to a lack of medical or scientific evidence linking the development of heart conditions to the appellant's toxic exposures.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease status post CABG, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service event or a nexus to service. The Veteran's current diagnosis of CAD was not shown as chronic during service and is not considered related to Gulf War exposure.

The Veteran's appeal regarding attorney fees for past-due benefits awarded in a September 2025 rating decision is dismissed as the claimant, M.A.R., waived her right to receive the attorney fee.

The Board has remanded the claims for GERD, coronary artery disease with stable angina, sleep apnea, and insomnia due to issues related to exposure during service.,Specifically, the Veteran's GERD is not considered service-connected as there is no evidence of its onset or relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's death was not due to service or a service-connected disability. The appellant is receiving the maximum DIC benefits and no additional compensation under PACT Act for Agent Orange exposure is warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral upper and lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim based on this finding.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection for BPH, as secondary to CAD. The AOJ is required to obtain a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's BPH is related to his in-service exposure and if it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected CAD.

The Veteran's service connection for both hypertension and hypertensive heart disease is granted, with the latter being considered secondary to his primary condition of hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for ischemic heart disease was denied, and his claim for a compensable rating for hypertension was also denied.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for peripheral arterial occlusive disease (claimed as peripheral vascular disease) due to a duty to assist error.