The Veteran's initial ratings for coronary artery disease and lumbar spine strain and DDD were denied. A 20 percent rating was granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy as of September 12, 2019, and a 20 percent rating was granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy as of the same date. The Veteran's TDIU due to service-connected acquired psychiatric disability is effective April 10, 2013, and SMC at the housebound rate is also effective that date.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Coronary artery disease (CAD), Lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease (DDD), Right lower extremity radiculopathy, Left lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- April 17, 2020
- Citation
- 20026554
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 20026554.
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 claim for SMC based on aid and attendance from June 1, 2011, to May 24, 2017, finding that his need for regular aid and attendance was not established during this period.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's current coronary artery disease with acute, subacute, or old myocardial infarction with coronary stent is being remanded for further evaluation due to the lack of a medical nexus between his service-connected hypertension and his heart condition.
- Granted
The Board has granted effective dates of July 10, 2024 for service connection for PTSD, lumbar strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Denied
The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was evaluated at a 20 percent rating, and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.
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