The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,His coronary artery disease prior to January 29, 2019 and from that date onward are both rated at 60 percent. Neither meets the criteria for a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently managed with restricted diet and oral hypoglycemic agents without requiring regulation of activities to control blood sugar levels, thus not meeting the criteria for a higher rating under DC 7913.,His coronary artery disease prior to January 29, 2019 does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as he did not have more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year or workload greater than 3 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope. From January 29, 2019 onward, his coronary artery disease does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as he did not have chronic congestive heart failure, workload of less than 3 METs resulting in symptoms, or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 30 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Coronary Artery Disease (postoperative coronary artery bypass graft), Diabetic Neuropathy, Left Lower Extremity, Diabetic Neuropathy, Right Lower Extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 1, 2019
- Citation
- 19175512
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection due to new and relevant evidence having been received since a previous denial.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on a need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, which includes PTSD, diabetes, hearing loss, and other conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for insomnia and denied initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for Type II diabetes mellitus, 10 percent for right lower extremity sciatic nerve diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and 10 percent for left lower extremity sciatic nerve diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The lumbosacral strain claim was remanded.
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