The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death. The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of her husband’s death, which was attributed to mediastinal mass and pericardial effusion.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there are gaps in the medical record and needs an expert opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's condition.
- Claimed conditions
- mediastinal mass, pericardial effusion
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 17, 2019
- Citation
- 19179190
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 remands the claims for service connection for pleural effusion, pericarditis, chronic, lung changes, left, lung scarring, left, and pericardial effusion to obtain additional medical evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current heart disorders are directly related to herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.