The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Ischemic Heart Disease and TDIU prior to October 20, 2011 were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not demonstrate more than one episode of acute CHF in the past year or left ventricular dysfunction with an LVEF of less than 30 percent, which are required for higher ratings. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he failed to meet the percentage threshold and there were no circumstances apart from non-service-connected conditions that would justify a total rating based on unemployability.
- Claimed conditions
- Ischemic Heart Disease, Bilateral Lower Extremity Peripheral Neuropathy, Diabetes Mellitus, Type II
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 15, 2020
- Citation
- 20066905
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 is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and a psychiatric disability due to insufficient evidence of the severity required for higher ratings.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for his diabetes mellitus, a higher rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder, and a total disability rating due to service-connected disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for a heart disability, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, but denied service connection for multiple tooth trauma.
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