The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations of his service-connected pericarditis and TDIU was denied. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for pericarditis prior to April 25, 2011, were not met, as there is no evidence reflecting a workload of fewer than 5 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope. From April 25, 2011, to the present, the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 60 percent were not met either. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied as there is no evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not show a workload of fewer than 5 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope for pericarditis prior to April 25, 2011. From that date to the present, there is no evidence showing more than one episode of congestive heart failure within a year, a workload of less than 3 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction (EF) of 30 to 50 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Pericarditis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 23, 2015
- Citation
- 1549438
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 1549438.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased rating, service connection, and TDIU have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all claims prior to the promulgation of a decision.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a cardiovascular disorder, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether symptomatology and conditions suffered during service resulted in the Veteran's current condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to June 5, 2019. The Veteran's pericarditis is currently service-connected.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, obstructive sleep apnea, residuals of a pulmonary embolism, and pericarditis due to additional development being needed. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the claim for service connection for COPD.
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