The Veteran died of sudden cardiac arrest, with moderate coronary atherosclerotic disease listed as one of the final diagnoses. The Board has determined that presumptive service connection would have been warranted for his arteriosclerotic disease due to Vietnam service and diagnosis. However, the cause of death is unclear, and further medical opinion is needed to determine if the heart disability contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death.
The deciding factor: The Board found insufficient evidence in the record to conclusively state whether the Veteran’s arteriosclerotic disease caused his sudden cardiac arrest. The appellant provided an article on silent ischemia, and testified about witnessing her husband experience symptoms before his death.
- Claimed conditions
- coronary atherosclerotic disease, left ventricular hypertrophy, moderate coronary atherosclerotic disease, moderate to severe peripheral vascular disease, moderate lung congestion
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 17, 2018
- Citation
- 18135697
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18135697.
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: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ventricular hypertrophy and Fabry's disease as secondary to his service-connected hypertension.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, and will consider service connection for heart disorders based on direct evidence or secondary to hypertension.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to errors in obtaining relevant private treatment records and VA opinions, which were not sufficient for a decision on service connection.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for left ventricular hypertrophy and service connection for sinus bradycardia are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.
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