The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate and incomplete VA examinations, specifically regarding METs testing for ischemic heart disease. The Veteran is seeking higher initial evaluations for his service-connected heart conditions.
The deciding factor: The examination reports did not include necessary METs testing which was critical in determining the extent of the Veteran's heart disability.
- Claimed conditions
- ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease), atriial fibrillation, left ventricular hypertrophy, status post myocardial infarction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20002211
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for valvular heart disease and left ventricular hypertrophy, finding that these conditions are caused by the Veteran's service-connected hypertension.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for his service-connected heart condition, as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for a cardiovascular disorder, other than supraventricular arrhythmia, to include hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction, on a direct basis or as secondary to service-connected supraventricular arrhythmia.
- Granted
The Board granted a disability rating of 30 percent for left ventricular hypertrophy, but no higher.
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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.