The Veteran's CAD disability has not met the criteria for a higher rating prior to April 28, 2014.,The Veteran's CAD disability has not met the criteria for a higher rating from April 28, 2014 to February 3, 2015.,The Veteran's CAD disability has not met the criteria for a higher rating from February 3, 2015 to October 8, 2020.,The Veteran is currently in receipt of TDIU for the period from March 20, 2014 onward. The Board finds that this claim must be remanded to obtain a retrospective opinion regarding his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to March 20, 2014.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support the Veteran's assertion of more severe CAD symptoms during these periods.,There is no evidence of chronic congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction less than 30 percent during this period.,The Veteran's METs levels have consistently been in the range of 5 to 7, which does not meet the criteria for higher ratings.,The Board finds that a retrospective opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities prior to March 20, 2014.
- Claimed conditions
- Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), Prostate Cancer Residuals
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 13, 2022
- Citation
- 22034427
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 22034427.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU and SMC for housebound status are granted based on service-connected PTSD from October 12, 2023, and CAD from October 1, 2022. The appeals were granted due to the severity of these conditions preventing the Veteran from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its current severity and for the consideration of any outstanding private medical records.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU rating based on depressive disorder is granted from October 17, 2018 to March 26, 2019. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted prior to March 26, 2019.
- 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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