Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeal for agent fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the November 2020 rating decision is denied as there was no valid fee agreement applicable to this award.

The Veteran's initial ratings for congestive heart failure and chronic kidney disease have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease and basal and squamous cell carcinoma are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's CAD is rated at 100 percent, hypertension is granted as service connected due to in-service herbicide exposure, and aneurysm residuals are also granted. The right thumb, index, long, ring, and little finger disabilities have all been granted increased ratings.

The Veteran's valvular heart disease resulted in a workload of greater than 5 METs but not greater than 7 METs, causing dyspnea, fatigue, angina, or dizziness. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, ischemic heart disease (IHD), peripheral neuropathy of the right hand, foot, and leg due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. Additional development is needed to determine specific locations where the Veteran served during his time in Korea.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD are granted as service-connected. The remaining issues have been remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's heart condition, diagnosed as coronary artery disease, is denied because the evidence does not support a finding that it began during service or is related to an in-service injury or event.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding several claims, including earlier effective dates and ratings for arteriosclerotic heart disease, open angle glaucoma, major depressive disorder, TDIU, DEA, SMC, and a rating increase. The Board dismissed these issues as the Veteran requested withdrawal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory conditions, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and heart conditions. The evidence does not support a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, increased ratings for sarcoidosis with pulmonary involvement and skin, and evaluations for bilateral visual field contraction due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has remanded the case to consider whether there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the May 2017 rating decision regarding service connection for a heart disability. The Veteran's representative argued that CUE occurred because service treatment records showed the onset of the heart disability during service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of May 18, 2023 for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is granted. The evidence shows that the Veteran required regular aid and attendance due to his Parkinson's disease and related conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a 100% rating for coronary artery disease is granted from April 15, 2019. The Veteran also received special monthly compensation at the 's' rate due to his service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure in Panama and Fort Lewis, Washington. The Veteran's prostate cancer, type II diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation with chest symptoms and elevated D-dimer, chronic kidney disease, and hypertension are currently diagnosed.

The appeal of the proposed combination of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and ischemic heart disease with myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, heart block, cardiomyopathy, and hypertensive heart disease under one Diagnostic Code at an evaluation of 30 percent disabling is dismissed.,The appeals for increased evaluations for ischemic heart disease with myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, heart block, cardiomyopathy, and hypertensive heart disease are dismissed. The appeal for earlier effective date for GERD is denied. The appeal for earlier effective date for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The appeals for a compensable rating for GERD prior to May 19, 2024, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD as of May 19, 2024, are dismissed. The appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The appeals for a rating in excess of 30 percent for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, secondary to hypertension, ischemic heart disease, CFH, heart block, cardiomyopathy, are dismissed.,The appeal for an earlier effective date for gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) is denied. The appeal for an earlier effective date for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in obtaining VA and private treatment records, particularly from September 7, 2017, through August 31, 2020. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, removal of both testicles, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for COPD as secondary to myocardial infarction with CAD and ischemic cardiomyopathy due to the weight of evidence not supporting a causal link between these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for COPD as secondary to myocardial infarction with CAD and ischemic cardiomyopathy due to the weight of evidence not supporting a causal link between these conditions.