Citation Nr: 18123725
Decision Date: 08/02/18	Archive Date: 08/02/18

DOCKET NO. 15-29 346
DATE:	August 2, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran had active service from September 1968 to July 1970.
1. Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease is remanded.
The Veteran experienced a myocardial infarction and underwent bypass surgery in June 2012.  He has been service-connected for his coronary artery disease (CAD) as of June 6, 2013 and is currently rated at 60 percent.  The Veteran asserts that he is entitled to a 100 percent rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease with status post coronary artery bypass graft.
The RO issued a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) regarding the claim for increased rating for CAD in July 2016 and certified the case to the Board in August 2016.  That same month the Veteran filed a statement suggesting that his 

heart disability had worsened. Reference was made to a leaking mitral valve. He subsequently submitted an Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance, which was followed by the RO 
incorporating into the file VA treatment records concerning the Veteran’s heart condition through June 2017.  The RO has not yet readjudicated the claim nor has it issued an SSOC.     
A remand is necessary to provide the RO the opportunity to consider the additional records concerning the Veteran’s claim for a total disability rating for CAD and issue a subsequent SSOC.  See 38 C.F.R. §§ 19.31(c); 20.1304(c) (2017).
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Obtain any outstanding private and VA treatment records and associate them with the Veteran’s electronic claims file.  If the requested records do not exist or cannot be obtained, the electronic claims file should be documented accordingly.  38 C.F.R. § 3.159.
2. Following a review of the recently obtained records, and any other development deemed necessary, to include a new heart examination, readjudicate the claim with application of all appropriate laws and regulations, and consideration of any additional information obtained as a result of this remand.  All evidence received since the 




July 2016 SSOC should be considered.  If the Veteran’s claim remains denied, issue a SSOC, allow the appropriate time for response, and return the claim to the Board.
 
MICHAEL A. HERMAN
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	M.E. Lee, Associate Counsel