Veterans have a higher risk of developing heart disease compared to those who have not served in the military. Heart disease can limit a person’s ability to participate in daily activities, such as getting dressed and walking around a grocery store.

Based on the extent to which heart disease affects a veteran’s life, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) assigns a disability level rating. Veterans are eligible for different types of benefits based on their veteran status and their disability level.

What Causes Heart Disease in Veterans?

Veterans face unique risks for heart disease due to a combination of factors related to their military service, including physical and mental health challenges.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Around 7 percent of U.S. veterans will experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at some point, according to the VA. PTSD arises from exposure to horrifying or life-threatening experiences, such as war-zone deployment, training accidents, or sexual abuse. PTSD is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and heart failure due to the chronic stress and heightened levels of inflammation it can cause.

Other mental health illnesses increase the risk for cardiovascular disease, such as:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Psychosis
• Bipolar disorder

Intense stress, such as from combat deployment, has been associated with the onset of heart disease in veterans as well, potentially due to the sustained fight-or-flight response and its impact on the cardiovascular system.

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

Other specific causes of heart disease in veterans include certain exposures while deployed.

Between the 1950s and 1980s, residents, civilian workers, and military personnel were exposed to harmful chemicals in the drinking water at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. This exposure has been linked to a higher risk of cancer, birth defects, and nervous system issues — and may also be associated with a range of heart diseases.

Qualifications for VA disability benefits related to exposure to Camp Lejeune contamination include:

• Serving on base for at least 30 days between Aug. 1, 1953, and Dec. 31, 1987
• Having health care costs related to qualifying health condition
• Having been honorably discharged

Agent Orange Exposure

Agent Orange exposure has been associated with ischemic heart disease and can qualify veterans for disability compensation. During the Vietnam War, U.S. military personnel were exposed to Agent Orange, an herbicide used to clear dense vegetation. This chemical has been linked not only to heart conditions like ischemic heart disease but also other serious health issues, including various cancers and diabetes.

Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange and later developed qualifying health conditions may be eligible for VA disability benefits.

Other Risk Factors for Heart Disease

It might be helpful to understand other risk factors for heart disease, outside of veteran status. Examples include:

• Poor diet — A diet high in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol can contribute to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, leading to heart disease.
• Low levels of physical activity — Insufficient physical activity is a major risk factor for heart disease. Regular exercise helps maintain a healthy weight, lowers blood pressure, and reduces cholesterol levels. Veterans with disabilities may find it more challenging to stay active, increasing their risk of heart disease.
• Smoking — Smoking is a significant risk factor for heart disease as it damages the lining of the arteries, leading to atherosclerosis. Smoking also raises blood pressure and reduces oxygen in the blood, putting extra strain on the heart.

What Is a VA Disability Rating?

VA disability ratings evaluate veterans’ service-connected disability levels. The rating is based on a percentage system. These percentages are used to assign monthly compensation levels, or the amount of disability benefits the VA would give a veteran every month.

The disability rating is based on medical records (including medical diagnoses and severity of conditions). If the VA determines more testing is needed, you might be required to take a compensation and pension (C&P) exam.

If you have multiple service-related disabilities, the VA will combine the percentages to come up with a total percentage of disability.

Ischemic Heart Disease and VA Disability Ratings

To apply for disability based on ischemic heart disease, you’ll need an official diagnosis and proof that the disability is related to your military service.

Obtaining a Diagnosis

A stress test called a metabolic equivalent (MET) test is required to evaluate the function of the heart and obtain disability for a heart condition. In this test, you’ll perform a cardiovascular activity (such as walking on a treadmill or using a stationary bike) at increasing levels of difficulty until you start to develop symptoms. The earlier symptoms start, the more significant your heart disease.

Based on this test, you’ll receive a disability rating percentage. These ratings correlate to different compensation levels, which can range from $0 to well over $3,000 per month, depending on your total disability rating and whether you have dependents or qualify for additional benefits.

Establishing Service Connection

To qualify for VA disability benefits you must be able to prove that your ischemic heart disease is related to your service in the military. The three categories are:

• Direct service connection — Requires a diagnosis of ischemic heart disease, an event/illness causing the heart disease, and a document written by a medical professional tying the two together
• Secondary service connection — A secondary condition that contributes to causing or worsening your ischemic heart disease, such as PTSD that caused ischemic heart disease
• Presumptive connection — Serving in a time and place with known causes for ischemic heart disease, such as Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam War

VA Disability Benefits

Veterans and their families have access to a range of federal benefits. In addition to standard health insurance and the disability compensation discussed above, veterans may be eligible for a full range of benefits, including:

• Mental health care treatment
• Benefits for children with birth defects (in relation to Vietnam-era veterans), including vocational training
• Caregiver programs and services
• Education assistance
• Home loan and housing assistance
• Life insurance policies and survivors’ benefits
• Burial and memorial benefits

Applying for VA Disability Benefits

To file a claim for disability, you’ll have to fill out your information and gather some documents to support your claim. These include:

• Your completed application
• Supporting documents
• Form 21-0781 — If your heart disease is related to PTSD, you should complete this form. It’s used to provide information about a mental health disorder due to a traumatic event during military service.

Supporting Documents

Sending supporting documents yourself can help expedite your claim. These documents include:

• VA medical records and hospital records — Include any VA medical records, hospital records, and documentation that detail your diagnosis and treatment for ischemic heart disease.
• Private medical records and hospital records — Provide records from any non-VA health care providers or hospitals where you’ve received treatment for your heart disease. This is crucial for demonstrating the continuity of care and the severity of your condition.
• Supporting statements — Include statements from individuals who can provide insight into your heart condition, such as family members, fellow service members, or health care providers. These statements can help the VA understand how your condition has impacted your daily life and how it has progressed over time.

The VA can assist in obtaining relevant medical records, service records, and health exam information if needed.

Ways To Apply for VA Disability Benefits

There are multiple ways to apply for disability benefits. Choose which one best works for you:

• Online — Applying online is often the fastest and most convenient option. It allows you to save your progress, upload documents, and track the status of your claim through the VA’s portal.
• By mail — If you prefer physical paperwork or don’t have reliable internet access, you can download, fill out, and mail VA Form 21-526EZ. This gives you time to gather your documents and control when and how your application is submitted​. Be sure to send copies of your documents, not originals, as the VA cannot return the materials you send.
• By fax — Faxing your completed application is useful if you need to send your application rapidly and want to avoid postal delays. If you’re in the U.S., fax your application to 844-531-7818. If you’re outside the U.S., fax your application to 248-524-4260.
• In person at a regional office — Visiting a VA regional office allows you to get no-cost, face-to-face assistance with your application. This option is ideal if you prefer direct support or need help with complex aspects of your claim. You can find a regional office location through the VA website.

• Through a third-party professional — Working with an accredited attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative provides expert guidance throughout the application process. While this option offers specialized assistance, it may involve additional costs, especially if you choose an attorney or claims agent.

After completing the application process, you won’t need to do anything else unless the VA contacts you for additional information. On average, it takes the VA about 150 days to make a decision. If desired, you can check your claim status online.

Types of Claims

There are a few different types of disability claims. If it’s your first time filing for disability compensation, you’ll be filing an original claim. Other types of claims include:

• Increased claim — If your disability has gotten worse, you can file for increased compensation.
• New claim — To add on benefits to an existing claim
• Secondary service-connected claim — For a disability that has developed as a result of an existing service-connected condition
• Special claim — For any special needs related to your disability, such as a request for a specially adapted vehicle
• Supplemental claim — To provide the VA with new evidence for a previously denied claim

What To Do if Your VA Disability Benefits Claim Is Denied

If the VA denies your claim, it can be disheartening, but it’s not uncommon. Many initial claims are denied due to various reasons, such as insufficient evidence, incomplete documentation, or a backlog in the system. The VA requires clear, compelling evidence to support your claim, which can be difficult to provide without proper guidance. However, a denial doesn’t mean the end of the road — you have several options to pursue your claim further and potentially get it approved.

Submit a Supplemental Claim

You can submit a supplemental claim to provide more supporting information about your claim. This is ideal if you have new and relevant evidence that wasn’t included in your original claim.

Request a Higher-Level Review

A second option is to request a higher-level review, which you can do online within one year of your claim being denied. A senior VA reviewer will reexamine your claim. This process takes an average of 125 days. If you have already submitted a higher-level review or a board appeal, you cannot request another higher-level review for the same issue.

Request a Board Appeal

A third option is a board appeal, also requestable online. A board appeal must be submitted within one year of a claim denial. It can be submitted after an initial claim, supplemental claim, or higher-level review. With this option your case is brought before a veterans law judge at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals in Washington, DC. The three types of board appeals are:

• Direct review — The judge will look at all of the existing information and come to a decision.
• Evidence submission — You may submit new evidence that will be reviewed alongside the existing information.
• Hearing — You’ll meet with the judge — either in person, via videoconferencing, or by phone — to review new evidence to support your case.

Your VA medical center is a great resource to discuss any questions or concerns you have related to your ischemic heart disease or about benefits available to you. Your health care provider can also help you understand and manage your heart disease.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyHeartDiseaseTeam is the social network for people with heart disease and their loved ones. On MyHeartDiseaseTeam, more than 61,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with heart disease.

Do you have ischemic heart disease related to your time in the military? Have you been thinking about filing a VA claim for disability? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.