The Veteran's initial ratings for congestive heart failure and chronic kidney disease have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the Veteran experiences heart failure symptoms at a workload of 3.0 METs or less, which is required for a 100 percent evaluation under the revised General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart. The Veteran's chronic kidney disease also did not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating as it did not result in GFR less than 15 mL/min/1.73 m2 for at least three consecutive months during the past 12 months.
- Claimed conditions
- Congestive Heart Failure, Chronic Kidney Disease
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- January 7, 2026
- Citation
- A26001691
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 A26001691.
What this means for you
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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 appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination focusing on his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his eligibility for benefits, as well as his need for aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 100 percent for CAD was granted effective November 28, 2023. The effective date is based on the date of a VA examination showing the increase in disability.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Congestive Heart Failure with Atrial Fibrillation with AICD and Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), finding that there was no evidence of direct service connection, and that the conditions were not caused or aggravated by service-connected OSA.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for congestive heart failure, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service. The Veteran's private cardiologist and VA examiner both opined against a link between his current condition and service.
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