The Veteran seeks service connection for ischemic cardiomyopathy, including as a result of herbicide exposure. The RO denied the claim on the basis that the heart disease was caused by a 1979 motor vehicle accident (MVA). The Board has determined that an examination is necessary to determine if the current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease may be related to herbicide exposure or the MVA.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that there is insufficient evidence to definitively link the Veteran's current ischemic cardiomyopathy to his service, including herbicide exposure, and requires further medical examination to clarify this relationship.
- Claimed conditions
- ischemic cardiomyopathy, status post-traumatic myocardial infarction, ventricular aneurysm resection
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 5, 2015
- Citation
- 1519186
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 1519186.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, and requests medical opinions on the etiology of his coronary artery disease, GERD with dyspepsia, and upper respiratory infection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty-to-assist error regarding the Veteran's exposure to asbestos and Agent Orange during service. The claims are now pending for further development.
- Granted
The Veteran's ischemic cardiomyopathy was granted service connection as it met the definition of ischemic heart disease (IHD) listed in VA regulations, and he had this condition at the time his application for benefits was filed.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, attributing it to active military service and exposure to toxins.
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