The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's heart condition and its connection to service, specifically herbicide exposure. The AOJ must obtain additional information from the JSRRC and request an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.
The deciding factor: The Board found that presumptive service connection does not apply to veterans whose claims are based on periods of ACDUTRA (Active Duty for Training), and there is no indication of herbicide exposure during active duty. The Veteran's heart condition may be related to his military service, including any chemical exposure, but more evidence is needed.
- Claimed conditions
- heart condition
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20026343
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 20026343.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, including ischemic heart disease. The evidence did not support a finding of a current disability related to service.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was granted with an initial evaluation of 50 percent, effective September 24, 2007. The appeal regarding the heart condition and sleep disorder is denied. The Veteran's hearing loss prior to August 24, 2015, warrants a 20 percent rating.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for treatment purposes only under Chapter 17 for various conditions, including cervical spine condition, right upper extremity nerve condition, left upper extremity nerve condition, headache condition, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, right elbow condition, left elbow condition, right shoulder condition, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), bilateral pes planus, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, and left knee disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, and headaches have been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart condition, BPH, COPD, and hypertension are remanded due to the lack of evidence regarding his exposure to toxic substances during military service.
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