The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected aortic valve replacement disability and an opinion on whether he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that further development is necessary prior to appellate review, as indicated by previous remand instructions not being fully complied with.
- Claimed conditions
- aortic valve replacement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 4, 2015
- Citation
- 1538107
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1538107.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for non-rheumatic aortic valve stenosis and aortic valve replacement due to missing treatment records and the need for an opinion on the relationship between these conditions and in-service toxic exposure.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for aortic valve replacement since December 21, 2021 was granted. The claim for a compensable rating for the midline chest scar was denied. Other issues were remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and aortic valve replacement as secondary to coronary artery disease are remanded due to the need for a VA opinion regarding exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of aortic valve replacement and heart murmur was denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
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