The veteran's exertional angina, elevated high blood pressure, and right bundle branch block are currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the evidence does not support a finding of active heart disease or significant impairment due to these conditions.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the veteran's poor functional capacity was more likely related to his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which already has a 10 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6603. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on active heart disease or significant impairment due to these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- exertional angina, elevated high blood pressure, right bundle branch block
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 13, 2006
- Citation
- 0617245
Veterans Law Judge
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0617245.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy, right bundle branch block, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy. The claim of service connection for tremors (claimed as Parkinsonism/Parkinson-like symptoms) is remanded due to a duty to assist error.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for right hip degenerative arthritis, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, and right bundle branch block.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a VA heart examination to determine the relationship between the diagnosed atrial fibrillation, active service, and the service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for right bundle branch block and hypertension, as well as an earlier effective date for service connection for right bundle branch block.
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