Atherosclerosis is a diffuse process that affects not only the coronary arteries but also peripheral arteries like the carotid arteries. Atherosclerosis is a lifelong process and evidence of this disorder has been seen at autopsy in teenagers who die from trauma. Thus, you certainly must have risk factors for atherosclerosis to have developed such severe disease at such a young age, but I cannot determine if this condition is related to your military service. Only your physician at the VA can determine such criteria. I hope you find this information useful.
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