The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings based on the severity of symptoms and medical findings.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show episodes of acute congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction less than 30 percent, which are required for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7005. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus only required restricted diet and one or more daily injections of insulin.
- Claimed conditions
- Coronary artery disease (CAD), Diabetes mellitus, Peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, Peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, Peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, Peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 29, 2020
- Citation
- 20081547
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a disability rating of 50 percent for the Veteran's left shoulder disability and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, both secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities prior to February 14, 2025, as the evidence did not show that he was precluded from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment during the appeal period.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the R(1) rate due to his need for regular aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for further development and readjudication.
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