The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of dilated aorta has been denied as the condition does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for brain disability, claimed as related to exposure to contaminated water and/or jet fuel at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the Veteran’s dilated aorta has reached 5 centimeters in diameter or required surgical intervention. The Board finds no basis for a compensable rating.,There is insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's brain disability to his military service, specifically exposure to contaminated water and/or jet fuel at Camp Lejeune. A VA examination is needed to determine if there is a relationship between the Veteran’s condition and his service.
- Claimed conditions
- dilated aorta, brain disability
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 20, 2020
- Citation
- 20048485
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20048485.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a dilated aorta as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension, but denied service connection for a renal cyst condition. The denial of the renal cyst claim is due to insufficient evidence linking it to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection for a brain disability, including exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water and/or jet fuel. The Veteran's current condition is being evaluated in relation to his service-connected hypertension.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the adequacy of the statement of reasons and bases for determining whether VA's duties to assist require affording the Veteran a VA examination.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's brain disability, including dementia, is related to his service. The VA examiner needs to provide an addendum opinion addressing the relationship between the Veteran’s diagnoses and his service.
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