Citation Nr: 18123975
Decision Date: 08/03/18	Archive Date: 08/03/18

DOCKET NO. 15-36 903
DATE:	August 3, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD), from July 1, 2011, is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from July 1966 to June 1968, with additional Reserve service from June 1968 to July 1972.
These matters come before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a September 2012 rating decision issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in Decatur, Georgia.

CAD
The Veteran was afforded a VA examination for his heart in October 2011, and the examiner found that the Veteran had a workload of greater than 5 METs but less than 7 METs that resulted in dyspnea and fatigue.  The Veteran submitted his Substantive Appeal, VA Form 9, in October 2015, and indicated that the examination was too old to adequately adjudicate his claim.  Due to the more than six years since the prior VA examination, the Board finds that there is a potential worsening of the Veteran’s CAD.  Thus, the Veteran should be afforded a new VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his disability.  See Snuffer v. Gober, 10 Vet. App. 400 (1997).
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his CAD.  The claims file must be made available to and be reviewed by the examiner.  
The examiner should determine the Veteran’s METs, and any other symptoms such as dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, and/or syncope which may be present.  The examiner should also determine whether there is any cardiac hypertrophy or dilation present.  Finally, the examiner should address whether the Veteran necessitates continuous medication for treatment of his heart condition.
 
Michael J. Skaltsounis
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	A. Daniels, Associate Counsel

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