The Board found that the veteran's psychiatric disability was not caused by VA treatment, but new evidence suggests it may have been aggravated by a stressful incident at a VA dental clinic. The claim is reopened as there is new and material evidence.
The deciding factor: New medical opinions suggest the stress from the November 26, 2001 incident may have contributed to or aggravated the veteran's existing atrial fibrillation and pacemaker implantation.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertension with atrial fibrillation and pacemaker implantation
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 11, 2008
- Citation
- 0826993
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 0826993.
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.
- Denied
The veteran's claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied because there is no evidence that the emotional distress he experienced in November 2001, due to VA refusal of dental treatment, caused his need for cardiac pacing or aggravated his nonservice-connected hypertension with atrial fibrillation and pacemaker implantation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeal is granted as his PTSD is now considered service-connected.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left leg disability is reopened, and the appeal is granted.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.