The Veteran's coronary artery disease is currently rated at 30 percent, and the claim for an increased evaluation remains denied.,Service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy has not been established as they are not related to service or herbicide exposure.,PTSD was diagnosed but not linked to service. The Veteran's current psychiatric disability is attributed to alcohol abuse, which may be considered a secondary condition.,The claim for PTSD remains denied.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran’s coronary artery disease and his active duty service or any other etiology.
- Claimed conditions
- Coronary artery disease, Bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, Bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, Psychiatric disability (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- September 28, 2015
- Citation
- 1541824
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1541824.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart condition was granted with an effective date of August 1, 2019. The decision is based on evidence showing exposure to diesel and gas fuel during service.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC was denied as the Board found that he is already in receipt of SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure. A second award of SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance was not warranted.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for SMC based on housebound status and need for aid and attendance, finding that he did not meet the criteria for these benefits prior to the specified dates.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since September 27, 2010. Additionally, he is in receipt of a 60 percent disability rating for coronary artery disease, which meets the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.
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