The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease (IHD) is found to have caused his peripheral artery disease (PAD) and stroke. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest available level of 70 percent, which is already the maximum rating for this condition. His bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.
The deciding factor: The July 2017 VA examiner found that the Veteran’s PAD and stroke were caused by his service-connected IHD, resulting in total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD symptoms such as suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression, chronic sleep impairment, flattened affect, disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty with work and social relationships, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, obsessional rituals, and persistent delusions/hallucinations.
- Claimed conditions
- Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), Stroke, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Bilateral Hearing Loss Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- November 6, 2018
- Citation
- 18148079
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 18148079.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 27, 2019 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no earlier claim document in the claims file and the Veteran did not timely perfect an appeal.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted as a result of military sexual trauma (MST) that occurred during service. The Board found the Veteran's testimony and supporting evidence credible, including her VA and private treatment records.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted with an effective date of August 17, 2022. The decision also denies the Veteran's request for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) due to lack of need for aid and attendance or being housebound.
- Granted
The Board has granted eligibility to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the October 2024 rating decision for an increased PTSD rating and denied TDIU.
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