The Board denied service connection for atrial fibrillation, granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (low back disability), and granted service connection for celiac disease. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of atrial fibrillation or residuals thereof. There is no medical opinion linking his low back disability to service. Service connection was granted for celiac disease based on continuity of symptomatology since service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, and the Veteran's testimony regarding this condition was not credible. The VA examiner opined that the low back disability is not related to service due to lack of in-service diagnosis. Service connection for celiac disease was granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service.
- Claimed conditions
- Atrial fibrillation, Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (low back disability), Celiac disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 4, 2019
- Citation
- 19100527
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,569 · Granted: 26% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19100527.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, is considered to have originated during his active service and continues today. The Board has therefore granted service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance for the Veteran's spouse due to conflicting information in the June 2025 examination. A VA examination is needed to determine if the spouse requires regular aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death (acute respiratory failure, atrial fibrillation, and/or hypertension) is related to his active duty service, including from exposure to toxins and chemicals from open burn pits during the harsh winters in Korea. The Board finds a pre-decisional duty to assist error and remands for obtaining a VA medical opinion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's death was caused by cardiopulmonary arrest, with congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and coronary artery disease presence of stent as the underlying cause. The Board has determined that there is a need for additional medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension, which he had during service, contributed to his death.
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