The Board has remanded the appeal for further development and examination regarding service connection claims, including those related to heart disability, psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD), left inguinal hernia, post aortofemoral bypass residuals, right inguinal hernia, and TDIU. The Veteran's lay statements about exposure to chemicals during National Guard service are also being addressed.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the claims for heart disability, psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD), left inguinal hernia, post aortofemoral bypass residuals, right inguinal hernia, and TDIU require further development due to incomplete records and unclear scope of the claim. The Veteran's lay statements about exposure to chemicals during National Guard service are also being addressed.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral leg disability, heart disability, left inguinal hernia, psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD, adjustment disorder and depression), post aortofemoral bypass residuals
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 27, 2018
- Citation
- 18152951
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 18152951.
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 remanded the claims for a neurological examination to determine if any diagnosed radiculopathy or other neurological disability affecting the lower extremities was caused or aggravated by service-connected conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection effective August 10, 2022. The heart disability was granted secondary to the hypertension.,An initial rating of 30% for the heart disability was granted in May 2023 and increased to 60% since October 22, 2024.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a heart disability, finding that it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, heart disability, and rheumatoid arthritis due to procedural errors in obtaining necessary medical opinions.
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