The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for vasovagal syncope was denied as there were no cardiovascular symptoms to support a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was also denied, with the Board finding that his combined disability rating did not meet the required percentage standards and that he could still secure and follow substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran failed to attend a scheduled VA examination without good cause, which prevented the evaluation of his cardiovascular symptoms. The available medical evidence does not demonstrate abnormal echocardiogram or other clinically-related cardiological symptoms.,The Veteran's combined disability rating is 50%, which does not meet the required percentage standards for TDIU based on schedular criteria. Additionally, there are no contradicting probative medical opinions indicating that his disabilities prevent him from obtaining or following substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- vasovagal syncope
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 8, 2020
- Citation
- 20001436
Veterans Law Judge
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 20001436.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of vasovagal syncope due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's vasovagal syncope is presumed to have existed prior to service, and the Board must now determine if there is clear and unmistakable evidence that it was not aggravated by military service.
- Granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of June 26, 1984, for the award of service connection for vasovagal syncope based on new and relevant service treatment records.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a headache disorder, and vasovagal syncope to correct duty to assist errors.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for vasovagal syncope and an initial 30% rating for obstructive sleep apnea from November 11, 2022 to May 8, 2023, but denied earlier effective dates and higher ratings for the same condition. The Board also granted a 50% rating for OSA from May 8, 2023, and an initial 30% rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease.
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