The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is rated at 30 percent, effective October 22, 2018. The appeal for an earlier effective date and a higher rating remains pending.
The deciding factor: The Veteran served in Vietnam and has ischemic heart disease (CAD), qualifying him as a Nehmer class member. His claim was received more than one year after separation from service, precluding earlier effective dates under VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- December 18, 2019
- Citation
- 19195219
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 19195219.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD, granted an earlier effective date of August 14, 2024, for the grant of a 70 percent rating for PTSD, and denied other claims including entitlement to an effective date prior to April 3, 2025, for the grant of a 100 percent rating evaluation for CAD.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) as he does not meet the criteria for an increased rate based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure with ICD placement, diabetes mellitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease, tinnitus, sinus tachycardia, and cardiomyopathy. The claims for irritable bowel syndrome and an acquired psychiatric disorder were remanded.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for the cause of death due to coronary artery disease, considering the Veteran's presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam.
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