The Board granted an increased rating of 10 percent for the service-connected residual scar, status post coronary artery bypass graft and denied an earlier effective date prior to August 10, 2022, for service connection for ischemic heart disease associated with herbicide exposure. The claim for a compensable rating for hypertension was remanded.

The deciding factor: The decision was based on the Veteran's pain in the residual scar and the earliest allowable effective date under the PACT Act for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure.

Claimed conditions

ischemic heart disease to include CAD and cardiac ischemia status post myocardial infarction and coronary artery bypass graft, residual scar, status post coronary artery bypass graft, hypertension

How they argued it

Presumptive (no nexus needed)

Exposure basis

Agent Orange / herbicides

Rating assigned

10%

Decision date

November 4, 2025

Citation

A25095546

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