An effective date of March 3, 2015, for a 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted.,A 100 percent rating as of June 14, 2017, but no earlier, for CAD is granted.,An effective date of June 14, 2017, but no earlier, for the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate is granted.,A rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD for accrued benefits is denied.,A rating higher than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II (DMII), with erectile dysfunction, for accrued benefits is denied.,Rating higher than 30 percent prior to August 9, 2019, and higher than 60 percent thereafter for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension for accrued benefits is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s left ejection fraction was 30-50 percent as of March 3, 2015. As of June 14, 2017, the Veteran’s CAD caused METs of less than 3 with dyspnea and fatigue.,Prior to August 9, 2019, the Veteran’s diabetic nephropathy with hypertension caused albumin constant or recurring; as of August 9, 2019, there was a definite decrease in kidney function. The criteria for a rating higher than 30 percent prior to August 9, 2019, and higher than 60 percent thereafter for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension were not met.,The Veteran’s PTSD caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas; total occupational and social impairment was not shown. The criteria for a rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD were not met.
- Claimed conditions
- Coronary artery disease (CAD), Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Diabetes mellitus type II (DMII), Peripheral neuropathy of the femoral nerve in both lower extremities, Peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities, Diabetic nephropathy with hypertension
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- February 4, 2021
- Citation
- 21006659
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 21006659.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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 claim for SMC based on aid and attendance from June 1, 2011, to May 24, 2017, finding that his need for regular aid and attendance was not established during this period.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's current coronary artery disease with acute, subacute, or old myocardial infarction with coronary stent is being remanded for further evaluation due to the lack of a medical nexus between his service-connected hypertension and his heart condition.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has identified a contradiction in the AOJ's determinations regarding the Veteran's need for aid and assistance, which requires clarification. The remanded issues are entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another and on the basis of statutory housebound status.
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