Boots on the ground veteran

Question:

I am a boots on ground Vietnam veteran. I had congestive heart failure back in 2003 from low ejection fraction which was 15%. I have since recovered with medication,diet and exercise. My ejection fraction is 50-53% . Would I be entitled to a disability rating?

Jim's Reply:

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) is not a presumptive condition. Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) is different than CHF and IHD is a presumptive condition. CHF is often caused by IHD so if you have a diagnosis of IHD the CHF could be secondary to that. Ask your doctor and go from there.