The veteran's degenerative disc disease L3-S1 with mild stenosis is rated at 40 percent, reflux esophagitis with hiatal hernia, duodenitis and history of ulcers remains at 10 percent, and arteriosclerotic heart disease status post myocardial infarction with hypertension is rated at 60 percent. The veteran's TDIU claim was granted.

The deciding factor: The VA found that the veteran's degenerative disc disease L3-S1 with mild stenosis warranted a higher rating due to recurrent and severe exacerbations of low back pain, muscle spasm, and significant loss of range of motion. The reflux esophagitis with hiatal hernia, duodenitis and history of ulcers was rated at 10 percent as the symptoms were episodic and controlled by over-the-counter medication. The arteriosclerotic heart disease status post myocardial infarction with hypertension was rated at 60 percent based on a workload capacity of 7 metabolic equivalents (METS), left ventricular ejection fraction of 40-45 percent, and no evidence of chronic congestive heart failure.

Claimed conditions

{"condition_name":"Degenerative disc disease L3-S1 with mild stenosis"}, {"condition_name":"Reflux esophagitis with hiatal hernia, duodenitis and history of ulcers"}, {"condition_name":"Arteriosclerotic heart disease status post myocardial infarction with hypertension"}

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

20%

Decision date

February 15, 2006

Citation

0604392