The Board denied an increased rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) in excess of 30 percent from January 3, 2001 to April 8, 2004 and granted a 60 percent rating from April 9, 2004 to September 18, 2006. The Board also denied an increased rating for CAD in excess of 30 percent from January 1, 2007 to July 10, 2008 and from August 1, 2009 to October 16, 2011. An increased rating in excess of 60 percent was denied for periods from October 17, 2011 to December 2, 2013 and from February 1, 2014.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 30 percent or more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year during the relevant time period. The Veteran's METs were at approximately 3 upon entrance, but it was unclear if this represented a consistent level.
- Claimed conditions
- Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- May 28, 2020
- Citation
- 20036784
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 20036784.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU and SMC for housebound status are granted based on service-connected PTSD from October 12, 2023, and CAD from October 1, 2022. The appeals were granted due to the severity of these conditions preventing the Veteran from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its current severity and for the consideration of any outstanding private medical records.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU rating based on depressive disorder is granted from October 17, 2018 to March 26, 2019. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted prior to March 26, 2019.
- Granted
The rating for the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) was restored to 100 percent effective December 1, 2025.,The rating for the Veteran's service-connected specified stressor related disorder (psychiatric disability) was restored to 70 percent effective December 1, 2025.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.