The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA opinions and incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran's heart condition is being evaluated for its relationship to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, as well as any herbicide exposure.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there are insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and origin of the Veteran's paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with hypertensive heart disease, particularly in relation to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and potential herbicide exposure. The VA examiner is asked to provide an opinion on these issues.
- Claimed conditions
- paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, hypertensive heart disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 21, 2020
- Citation
- 20061882
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 20061882.
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 service-connected disabilities, including diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and other conditions, rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to July 21, 2025.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertensive heart disease as secondary to his service-connected hypertension.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeal for service connection for hypertensive heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.
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