The Veteran's service-connected epigastric abdominal disability is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 60 percent, and his psychiatric disability (including depression) and respiratory disability (including asthma) are found to be secondary to this condition. The cardiac disability has not been addressed in detail as it was not included in the issues presented.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's psychiatric and respiratory disabilities are found to be at least as likely as not related to his service-connected epigastric abdominal disability, which is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 60 percent under DC 7346 for hiatal hernia. The cardiac disability has not been addressed in detail.
- Claimed conditions
- Psychiatric Disability (including depression), Cardiac Disability (including descending thoracic aortic aneurism), Respiratory Disability (including asthma)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- March 7, 2018
- Citation
- 1813430
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 1813430.
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.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or any related exposure.
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