The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected coronary artery disease alone and special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) prior to August 31, 2015.
The deciding factor: The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran was unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience due to his service-connected coronary artery disease alone prior to August 31, 2015. The Veteran also meets the criteria for entitlement to SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) based on a single 100 percent disability and additional disabilities ratable at 60 percent or more.
- Claimed conditions
- Coronary artery disease, Diabetes mellitus, type II with associated right and left foot peripheral neuropathy and renal insufficiency
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- February 24, 2025
- Citation
- 25002586
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 631 · Granted: 21% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 25002586.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart condition was granted with an effective date of August 1, 2019. The decision is based on evidence showing exposure to diesel and gas fuel during service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since September 27, 2010. Additionally, he is in receipt of a 60 percent disability rating for coronary artery disease, which meets the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for HISA benefits is granted as the modification requested (a barrier free, roll-in shower) falls within the scope of HISA and addresses his medical need due to his service-connected coronary artery disease.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an adequate VA examination, which is necessary for a fully informed decision on the Veteran's heart disability claim.
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