The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to October 1, 2015 was denied. The appeal is now remanded for further action.,A disability rating of 100 percent for CAD as of October 1, 2015 was granted. This represents the maximum available rating under VA regulations.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded and will be addressed separately.,The Veteran's TDIU application was granted, subject to controlling regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of evidence did not support a higher rating for CAD prior to October 1, 2015. The METs levels were within the range that warranted a 60 percent disability rating.,As of October 1, 2015, the Veteran's CAD met the criteria for a 100 percent disability rating due to his METs level being less than 3 and LVEF measurement indicating left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 30 percent.,The VA examinations did not support service connection for OSA as it was not linked to diabetes mellitus, the primary condition in this case. The issue will be addressed separately.,Given the Veteran's education and work history, his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. Therefore, TDIU was granted.
- Claimed conditions
- Coronary artery disease status post myocardial infarction, Diabetes mellitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- April 9, 2019
- Citation
- 19126755
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 Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the R(1) rate due to his need for regular aid and attendance.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, finding no evidence that his death was related to any injury or disease in service, including exposure to herbicide agents.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, as the evidence did not support the need for insulin or episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring hospitalization.
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