The Veteran's neurogenic syncope with pacemaker was not found to warrant a higher evaluation prior to April 25, 2016. On or after that date, the disability did not meet criteria for an increased rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s condition did not meet the criteria for chronic congestive heart failure, left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 30 percent, or a workload of three METs or less resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope.
- Claimed conditions
- Neurogenic syncope, Pacemaker
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 21, 2020
- Citation
- 20061890
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20061890.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's pacemaker implantation due to, or aggravated by, his service-connected coronary artery disease is granted a temporary total evaluation for one month starting from July 28, 2023.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for a heart condition and secondary service connection for the same condition, finding that there is no evidence linking the current conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's atrial fibrillation with pacemaker is currently rated at 30 percent, effective December 1, 2020. The Board denied higher ratings for the period prior to April 3, 2015 and beginning July 1, 2015.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's nephew is granted an additional $568.92 in accrued benefits for last sickness and burial expenses, totaling up to the maximum amount of $8,660 withheld from his pension payments.
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.