The Board denied service connection for a heart disability, to include coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass graft and old myocardial infarction as secondary to major depressive disorder.
The deciding factor: The January 2021 VA examiner opined that the Veteran's heart conditions were more likely due to his non-service connected hyperlipidemia rather than his service-connected major depressive disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass graft, old myocardial infarction
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 4, 2024
- Citation
- A24071348
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.
- Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for various conditions and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance based on the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew his appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, resulting in the dismissal of all claims.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction but remanded claims related to ulcerations secondary to DMII, total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for a heart disability was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.
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