What Is Ischemic Heart Disease?
Ischemic heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease or artherosclerotic heart disease, is a condition caused by cholesterol plaque build up in the arteries of the heart. This build up causes slowed blood flow to the heart, resulting in “ischemia” which means the heart is not getting enough blood flow or oxygen. If a plaque gets large enough to block an artery completely, this can cause a heart attack.
Up to 90 percent of heart attacks are due to smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, lack of exercise, and stress. However, according to a 2008 study, one major environmental factor that can contribute to the development of ischemic heart disease is Agent Orange exposure. Agent Orange was an herbicidal agent used predominantly during the Vietnam War and has been linked to the development of a number of chronic health conditions, including several cancers. If a veteran served in an area of presumptive exposure during his military service, he or she can get presumptive service connection for ischemic heart disease on the basis of Agent Orange exposure.
How The VA Rates Ischemic Heart Disease
Under 38 CFR § 4.104, the VA rates ischemic heart disease (i.e. coronary artery disease) based on the severity of the condition. The disability rating schedule for a heart attack (i.e. myocardial infarction) is also included below.
- Diagnostic code 7005: Arteriosclerotic heart disease (Coronary artery disease)
- With documented coronary artery disease resulting in: Chronic congestive heart failure, or; workload of 3 METs or less results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or; left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 30 percent: 100%
- More than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year, or; workload of greater than 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or; left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 30 to 50 percent: 60%
- Workload of greater than 5 METs but not greater than 7 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or; evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation on electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, or X-ray: 30%
- Workload of greater than 7 METs but not greater than 10 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or; continuous medication required: 10%
- Diagnostic code 7006: Myocardial infarction
- During and for three months following myocardial infarction, documented by laboratory tests: 100%
Thereafter:
- With history of documented myocardial infarction, resulting in: Chronic congestive heart failure, or; workload of 3 METs or less results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or; left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 30 percent: 100%
- More than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year, or; workload of greater than 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or; left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 30 to 50 percent: 60%
- Workload of greater than 5 METs but not greater than 7 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or; evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation on electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, or X-ray: 30%
- Workload of greater than 7 METs but not greater than 10 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or; continuous medication required: 10%
Veterans who are unable to work due to their ischemic heart disease, but who do not have a 100 percent schedular disability rating, are eligible to receive a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) rating. This rating would pay the veteran at the 100 percent compensation rate regardless of his or her total schedular disability rating.
Help With Your Ischemic Heart Disease Claim
If you are veteran seeking assistance with your ischemic heart disease claim, please contact our office today for a free claim evaluation. Our veterans disability attorneys have years of experience handling ischemic heart disease claims that rely on presumptive service connection due to Agent Orange. We are ready to help you get the compensation you deserve.
