The Board has determined that the Veteran's current heart disability, manifested by hypertensive heart disease and congestive heart failure, is not related to his active service. The evidence does not show a chronic condition during service or continuous symptoms since service separation. Additionally, the Veteran's hypertension and congestive heart failure are not considered ischemic heart diseases due to herbicide exposure.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran's current heart disability is not related to his active service, including as due to exposure to Agent Orange.
- Claimed conditions
- Congestive Heart Failure, Hypertensive Heart Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 23, 2016
- Citation
- 1637459
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1637459.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted a 30 percent rating for coronary heart disease effective February 10, 2021. The Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date or increased rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's CAD warrants a 60 percent rating, but the Board has determined that an earlier effective date is warranted due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding direct service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination focusing on his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his eligibility for benefits, as well as his need for aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted SMC at the rate of 50% for his service-connected conditions from April 20, 2020 to June 7, 2021.
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