The Veteran's appeal regarding a higher rating for his heart disability is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the January 2016 VA examination. A new examination is needed to assess the current severity of his condition.
The deciding factor: The January 2016 VA examination report was internally inconsistent and inadequate for decision-making purposes.
- Claimed conditions
- aortic valve insufficiency, status post porcine valve replacement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 23, 2020
- Citation
- 20005552
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 aortic valve insufficiency and vascular disease, to include as secondary to hypertension, due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for aortic valve insufficiency, coronary artery disease, chronic ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarctions as they are not related to his active service or secondary to his service-connected rheumatic fever.
- 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.