The Veteran's service connection for a respiratory disability is denied. The Veteran's coronary artery disease is granted an increased rating to 60 percent effective February 22, 2017. The Veteran's psychiatric disability (PTSD and depressive disorder) is granted an initial rating of 70 percent effective February 23, 2017.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran’s respiratory condition began during service or is related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The VA examiner found no link between the Veteran's current respiratory disability and military service. For coronary artery disease, the evidence shows a workload of greater than 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs resulting in dyspnea and fatigue since February 22, 2017. For psychiatric disability, the VA examiner found that symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Claimed conditions
- respiratory disability, coronary artery disease, psychiatric disability
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- April 16, 2019
- Citation
- 19128893
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 19128893.
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.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and bilateral vision condition was dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease was denied.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a psychiatric disability to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding the presumption of soundness at entrance into service.
- Denied
The Board denied higher initial disability ratings for the service-connected psychiatric disability and denied earlier effective dates for TDIU, SMC at the schedular housebound rate, and DEA benefits.
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