The Veteran's initial rating for arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease) is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The amputation of the right great toe, including as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, is remanded due to insufficient evidence.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease did not meet the criteria for a 60% rating (more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year or workload greater than 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope). The amputation of the right great toe is remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if it is related to diabetes mellitus.
- Claimed conditions
- Arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease), Amputation of the right great toe
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- April 5, 2019
- Citation
- 19125750
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 631 · Granted: 21% (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 19125750.
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 Board has restored service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension due to a presumption of exposure based on service in or near the Korean DMZ. Service connection for scar as secondary to diverticulitis of colon is dismissed.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection, as well as an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for a gynecological disability, heart disability, and bilateral knee disability to obtain additional medical opinions.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease) due to exposure to toxic substances at Ellsworth Air Force Base during active duty.
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