The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical examination and opinion regarding service connection for an aortic valve disorder. The Veteran's entitlement to this benefit is currently under review.
The deciding factor: The July 2017 VA medical opinion was inadequate as it lacked a reasoned rationale explaining the provided opinions.
- Claimed conditions
- aortic valve disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 12, 2018
- Citation
- 1802980
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 1802980.
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 Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart disability, including as due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent, is remanded. The AOJ must request the Veteran be scheduled for an appropriate VA examination to determine the nature, date of onset, and etiology of his aortic valve disorder and/or heart block.
- Granted
The Veteran's cause of death, hypertension and aortic valve disorder, is granted service connection due to conceded herbicide exposure. The claim for burial benefits is also granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an aortic valve disorder and scars due to incomplete medical opinions and the need for further clarification on the progression of the Veteran's CAD.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, including claimed aortic valve disorder and ischemic heart disease, due to herbicide exposure during his service in Vietnam. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active service.
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