The Veteran's aortic valve replacement, with scars and history of insufficiency, was rated at 30% from January 1, 2011 to December 7, 2015. After the temporary total evaluation ended, his METs levels were found to be greater than 3 but not greater than 5 METs, warranting a 60% rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's METs levels were greater than 3 but not greater than 5 METs based on activities such as light yard work and brisk walking, which is consistent with his reported symptoms of dyspnea, fatigue, and dizziness.
- Claimed conditions
- Aortic Valve Replacement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- September 14, 2017
- Citation
- 1739046
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 1739046.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and his aortic valve replacement disability remains at 30 percent. Both conditions are denied for increased ratings.
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The Veteran's rheumatic heart disease with aortic valve replacement has been manifested by stable symptoms and no significant cardiac complications, warranting a current rating of 30 percent.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
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