The Veteran's heart condition, caused by service-connected hypertension, is granted. The Veteran's right lower extremity neuropathy is granted a 20% rating. The Veteran's left lower extremity neuropathy prior to November 11, 2022, and as of that date, are both granted a 20% rating. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not meet the criteria for TDIU.
The deciding factor: The heart condition was found to be caused by service-connected hypertension, meeting the direct service connection criterion.
- Claimed conditions
- Heart Condition (Sick Sinus Rhythm Status Post-Pacemaker), Peripheral Neuropathy of the Right Lower Extremity, Peripheral Neuropathy of the Left Lower Extremity, Diabetic Nephropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 16, 2023
- Citation
- 23056297
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 23056297.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Bilateral Lower Extremity Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (Sciatic Nerve), Erectile Dysfunction, and Bladder Cancer in remission. Effective dates have been set for these awards as of July 14, 2004. The Veteran's claim for higher initial disability ratings and earlier effective dates are being remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at 100 percent effective April 13, 2023.,The Veteran's other trauma and stressor related disorder is rated at 70 percent effective April 13, 2023.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment from March 29, 2012, to April 23, 2025. The Board granted a TDIU during this period.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Diabetes Mellitus Type II and Diabetic Nephropathy/Hypertension have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings before or after the relevant dates.
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