The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a scar from pacemaker surgery was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for ischemic heart disease (including myocardial infarction) was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for the scar from pacemaker surgery was denied.,The Veteran's claim for total disability due to individual unemployability based on service-connected disabilities was granted.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence that the Veteran’s service-connected major depressive disorder warrants a 100 percent rating, as he still maintains a relationship with a girlfriend and does not pose a threat of danger or injury.,The Veteran's ischemic heart disease to include old myocardial infarction did not require an increased rating based on his lack of symptoms during physical activity.,There is no evidence that the scar from pacemaker surgery requires an increased rating, as it was not painful or unstable and its size does not meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combined to preclude substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- major depressive disorder, ischemic heart disease (including myocardial infarction), scar from pacemaker surgery
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 2, 2020
- Citation
- 20023005
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 20023005.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Veteran's claim for specially-adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant was denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, should be remanded due to a failure to verify a stressor related to the death of his two best friends in Iraq. The AOJ needs to develop this stressor.
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