Ischemic Heart Disease: VA Presumptive Condition (Agent Orange)
VeteranHQ lists Ischemic Heart Disease as a presumptive condition in the Agent Orange and Other Herbicides group. The exposure it is tied to is: Herbicide Agent (Agent Orange/TCDD). The presumption is effective October 30, 2010. It is governed by 38 CFR § 3.309(e); 38 USC § 1116; VA Final Rule, 75 FR 53702 (September 1, 2010).
A presumption removes one requirement and one only: the veteran does not have to prove a medical link between the condition and service. Everything else still applies. There must be a current diagnosis, the service has to meet the requirements below, and VA decides the claim on the evidence in the record.
What qualifies: Ischemic Heart Disease
- Service era
- Vietnam Era (August 5, 1964 – May 7, 1975); Korean DMZ; Thailand
- Service location
- Republic of Vietnam, Thailand (specified bases), Korean DMZ, Johnston Island
- Exposure
- Herbicide Agent (Agent Orange/TCDD)
- Effective date
- October 30, 2010
- Filing deadline
- No statutory deadline
- Diagnostic code
- 7005
Service required for this presumption
Service in the Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, or other qualifying herbicide exposure locations.
About this presumption
Ischemic heart disease (IHD) — including coronary artery disease (CAD), coronary heart disease, arteriosclerotic heart disease, unstable angina, myocardial infarction, and sudden cardiac death — is presumptively service-connected for herbicide-exposed veterans. TCDD is a known cardiovascular toxin that promotes atherosclerosis through oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and lipid metabolism disruption. The National Academy of Medicine found "limited/suggestive evidence" sufficient to support presumptive status. Covers all forms of IHD including stable angina, NSTEMI, STEMI, and heart failure resulting from ischemic cardiomyopathy.
Evidence still needed
A presumption does not remove the evidence requirement. VA still needs a current diagnosis from a medical provider and service records that show the qualifying service above. What it removes is the medical opinion connecting the two.
Service records; cardiology records documenting IHD (EKG, stress test, cardiac catheterization, coronary angiogram, echocardiogram); documentation of myocardial infarction if applicable; current treatment records. Hypertensive heart disease alone does NOT qualify — must be ischemic in nature.
Controlling legal authority
38 CFR § 3.309(e); 38 USC § 1116; VA Final Rule, 75 FR 53702 (September 1, 2010)
Related on VeteranHQ
- Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease): 38 CFR Part 4 rating criteriaThe percentage tiers VA applies once service connection is established, under DC 7005.
- VA presumptive conditions, explainedHow presumptive service connection works, and what it does not cover.
- All presumptive conditions by exposureAgent Orange, PACT Act, Camp Lejeune, Gulf War, and ionizing radiation.
Questions About Ischemic Heart Disease and Presumptive Service Connection
Is Ischemic Heart Disease a VA presumptive condition?
Yes. VeteranHQ lists Ischemic Heart Disease as presumptive in the Agent Orange and Other Herbicides group, effective October 30, 2010, under 38 CFR § 3.309(e); 38 USC § 1116; VA Final Rule, 75 FR 53702 (September 1, 2010). A presumption removes the requirement to prove a medical link to service. A current diagnosis and qualifying service are still required, and VA decides the claim.
What service qualifies for the Ischemic Heart Disease presumption?
Service in the Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, or other qualifying herbicide exposure locations. Service era: Vietnam Era (August 5, 1964 – May 7, 1975); Korean DMZ; Thailand. Service location: Republic of Vietnam, Thailand (specified bases), Korean DMZ, Johnston Island.
What evidence is still needed for a Ischemic Heart Disease claim?
Service records; cardiology records documenting IHD (EKG, stress test, cardiac catheterization, coronary angiogram, echocardiogram); documentation of myocardial infarction if applicable; current treatment records. Hypertensive heart disease alone does NOT qualify — must be ischemic in nature. A presumption removes the requirement to prove a medical link to service. A current diagnosis and qualifying service are still required, and VA decides the claim.
Is there a filing deadline for Ischemic Heart Disease?
No statutory deadline
VeteranHQ publishes VA rules and the citations behind them. It does not prepare, file, or represent claims, and nothing here is legal advice or a prediction of what VA will decide.