The Veteran's initial evaluation for coronary artery disease with pacemaker implant was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to October 12, 2019. From October 12, 2019, to the present, his evaluation remains at 60 percent.,The Veteran's initial evaluation for residuals of right knee replacement associated with arthritis was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to May 1, 2014.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support meeting the criteria for increased evaluations under applicable diagnostic codes due to lack of specific symptoms or findings.
- Claimed conditions
- Coronary artery disease with pacemaker implant, Right knee arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- October 5, 2020
- Citation
- 20064556
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
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 claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for degenerative disc disease with scoliosis, right knee arthritis, and degenerative joint disease of the left knee with meniscal tear, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and VA treatment.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for a left foot disability (other than callosities) and a right hip disability, as well as increased ratings for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral foot disability prior to July 6, 2020, lumbar spine disability, right knee instability prior to October 2, 2019, and left knee instability. However, it denied increased ratings for the bilateral foot disability since July 26, 2020, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, and right knee instability since October 2, 2019.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board is remanding the matters for clarification from the private examiner as to whether a goniometer was used, and will defer further adjudication until such clarification is provided.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's requests for extensions of time to file Board Appeal requests were denied, and the attempted appeals were dismissed.
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