The Board has denied service connection for a heart disability and remanded the rating claims for anterior compartment syndrome in both lower extremities.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's left side cardiomyopathy is more likely due to viral infection or cocaine use, not related to his service-connected disabilities of hypertension or obstructive sleep apnea. The Board found the medical evidence against a direct relationship between the heart disability and service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Heart disability (left side cardiomyopathy), Anterior compartment syndrome in left lower extremity, Anterior compartment syndrome in right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 28, 2018
- Citation
- 18160836
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 18160836.
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
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