Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disorder, diagnosed as coronary artery disease and valvular heart disease, is not related to his military service. The condition did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and benign hypertensive heart disease, finding that both conditions began during service and are related to the Veteran's hypertension.

The Veteran's CAD, hypertension, prostate condition, and strokes were not shown to be related to service or any incident therein.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), secondary to the Veteran's strokes, was also denied.

The Board has granted effective dates of December 31, 2020 for the award of service connection for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with congestive heart failure and coronary artery bypass graft and associated bypass surgical scars, anterior trunk.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for coronary artery disease with stent placement due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since September 27, 2010. Additionally, he is in receipt of a 60 percent disability rating for coronary artery disease, which meets the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claim for HISA benefits is granted as the modification requested (a barrier free, roll-in shower) falls within the scope of HISA and addresses his medical need due to his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's service-connected right occipital intracerebral hemorrhage (stroke) and other disabilities have rendered him unable to work, qualifying for SMC at the 's' rate. The VA needs to provide a VA examination to address the need for aid and attendance or housebound benefits.

The Veteran's bilateral tinea pedis and tinea unguium, lumbosacral strain, left knee strain, and coronary artery disease (CAD) are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on direct evidence of their onset during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to pre-decisional error and insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart condition, hypertension, and hearing loss/tinnitus.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for diabetes and heart disability due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's conditions are related to exposure to commercial herbicides during service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including chronic adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, right ankle strain, lumbar radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, right-hand disability, congestive heart failure, allergic rhinitis, and type II diabetes mellitus. The decision is based on secondary service connection due to these conditions being caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease, which may have contributed to his cause of death.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and ratings have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing from appellate consideration in December 2025.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder, is granted. The Veteran's tinnitus is also granted.,Bladder cancer and heart disability (including a heart attack) are remanded for further review due to insufficient evidence of service connection. Obstructive sleep apnea is also remanded with respect to the exposure basis.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been presented with respect to the Veteran's cause of death claim, necessitating a remand for further review.

The Board has found that the Veteran needs personal care services for at least six continuous months due to his service-connected heart and kidney conditions, but remands for a clinical determination of whether participation in the PCAFC program is in his best interest.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher level of SMC was denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(1) due to lack of blindness or deafness resulting from service-connected disability, and his current disabilities do not warrant an increase in SMC.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, CAD, and bilateral lower extremity nerve damage, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date of January 29, 2017, for the increased rating of 100 percent for his service-connected heart disability was dismissed as a matter of law due to improper filing.