Ischemic heart disease involves a reduction of blood flow and oxygen to the heart which results in the heart muscle not getting enough blood and oxygen. Usually, there is a buildup of cholesterol and other substances, called plaque, in the arteries that bring oxygenated blood to the heart muscle, over time, ischemic heart disease damages and weakens the heart muscle, making it very difficult for the heart to fill and pump blood to the rest of the body.
Ischemic heart disease is a common cause of congestive heart failure. Veterans with this condition may, at one time, have had a heart attack, angina or chest pains, unstable angina or sudden and increasingly worsening chest pains. Often times, veterans with ischemic heart disease may not have noticed any previous symptoms.
Symptoms of Ischemic Heart Disease
- Chest pain behind the breastbone or slightly to the left of it (it may fee like heavy pressure, squeezing, or crushing pain) The pain may spread to the neck, jaw, back, shoulder, or arm
- Dizziness or light headedness
- Feeling of indigestion or heartburn
- Nausea, vomiting, or cold sweats
- Sensation of feeling the heart beat
- Shortness of breath
- Unexplained tiredness after activity
- Coughing that results in severe chest pain
VA Disability Benefits for Ischemic Heart Disease
The VA compensates veterans with ischemic heart disease who were exposed to Agent Orange. Agent Orange caused many life threatening impairments to veterans. The VA now grants VA disability benefits for such impairments.
Presumptive Service Connection for Heart Conditions
Presumptive service connection is available for certain veterans with certain heart conditions. This means that the VA will presume that your heart condition is service-related based on your diagnosis alone, without your having to prove that something in your military service caused it.
A good example of this would be veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange and developed ischemic heart disease can be entitled to presumptive service connection.
How the VA Rates Ischemic Heart Disease
In general, heart conditions are rated using a set rating system. Here is a brief look at the VA rating schedule for heart disease:
- 100 percent rating. This rating is given to a veteran’s condition if he experiences one or more of the following:
- Consistently experiences congestive heart failure.
- Receives 3 METS or less, and he is short of breath, fatigued, and experiences chest pain, dizziness, and/or fainting.
- Shows left ventricular dysfunction, and the percentage of blood pumped out with each heartbeat is less than 30 percent.
- 60 percent rating. This rating is given to a veteran’s condition if he experiences one or more of the following:
- Two or more episodes of congestive heart failure during the past year.
- A score of 4 or 5 METS, and he is short of breath, fatigued, and experiences chest pain, dizziness, and/or fainting.
- Shows left ventricular dysfunction, and the percentage of blood pumped out with each heartbeat is between 30 – 50 percent.
- 30 percent rating. This rating is given to a veteran’s condition if there is one or more of the following:
- A score of 6 or 7 METS, and he is short of breath, fatigued, and experiences chest pain, dizziness, and/or fainting.
- X-ray or electrocardiogram shows evidence of hypertrophy or dilation.
- 10 percent rating. This rating is given to a veteran’s condition if there is one or more of the following:
- A score 8, 9, or 10 METS, and he is short of breath, fatigued, and experiences chest pain, dizziness, and/or fainting.
- Requires continuous medication.
