The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than February 6, 2014, for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease is granted. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating. The claims for service connection for colon disorder and chronic psychiatric disorder are remanded due to incomplete information.
The deciding factor: The effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease was determined based on VA regulations regarding presumptive service connection for ischemic heart disease caused by herbicide exposure, which became effective in August 2010. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depressive disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, and personality disorder), Colon polyps and diverticulitis (historical), Coronary artery disease
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 8, 2019
- Citation
- 19110398
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,272 · Granted: 31% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19110398.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
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.
- 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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for HISA benefits is granted as the modification requested (a barrier free, roll-in shower) falls within the scope of HISA and addresses his medical need due to his service-connected coronary artery disease.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an adequate VA examination, which is necessary for a fully informed decision on the Veteran's heart disability claim.
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