The Veteran's heart condition is granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is granted at 50 percent prior to March 20, 2012, and at 70 percent thereafter.
The deciding factor: The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has ischemic heart disease, which qualifies under the presumptive service connection criteria for exposure to herbicide agents. For PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder, the symptoms have been found to meet the criteria for a 50 percent rating prior to March 20, 2012, and a 70 percent rating thereafter.
- Claimed conditions
- Ischemic Heart Disease, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with unspecified depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 1, 2022
- Citation
- 22032194
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 22032194.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded for further development to determine if a higher rating is warranted.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease was granted a 30% disability rating effective August 31, 2010. The condition manifested as cardiac hypertrophy and a workload of greater than 5.0 but less than 7.0 METs without congestive heart failure or LVEF of 50 percent or less.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder was granted, and he is now eligible for a 70% rating effective July 12, 2024. His Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits were also granted as of that date.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, ischemic heart disease, diabetic neuropathy, prostate cancer residuals, bilateral diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities (sciatic), and diabetes mellitus Type 2, combine to result in physical or mental impairment that renders him so helpless as to require regular aid and attendance of another person. However, the need for aid and attendance must be determined without considering nonservice-connected disabilities.
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