The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's heart disability, other than ischemic heart disease, is related to his presumed herbicide exposure. The current opinion from the November 2019 VA examiner was inadequate and requires further clarification.
The deciding factor: The previous medical opinion did not clearly specify whether the exposure referred to was the Veteran’s presumed herbicide exposure and lacked a rationale for evaluating its probative value.
- Claimed conditions
- heart disability, other than ischemic heart disease
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 27, 2020
- Citation
- 20036371
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 20036371.
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 Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes, Parkinson's Disease and parkinsonism, ischemic heart disease (including CAD and angina), bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, cirrhosis, macular degeneration, vitiligo, and a heart disability, other than ischemic heart disease have all been granted.,SMC based on the need for aid and attendance has also been granted.
- Granted
The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- Granted
Service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is granted. The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is dismissed.
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