The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for atrial fibrillation secondary to radiation treatment for lung cancer and exposure to ionizing radiation. The AOJ is instructed to develop the claim under the procedures for claims based on exposure to ionizing radiation, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's atrial fibrillation was caused or worsened by his 1953 exposure to ionizing radiation and subsequent radiation treatment for lung cancer.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the issue of service connection requires development under procedures for claims based on exposure to ionizing radiation, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding causation or aggravation due to the Veteran's prior exposure in 1953 and subsequent radiation treatment for lung cancer.
- Claimed conditions
- atrial fibrillation, lung cancer
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- Ionizing radiation
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 21, 2020
- Citation
- 20067985
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 Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his lung cancer was related to his service-connected melanoma.
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal regarding the Veteran's entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for atrial fibrillation is remanded due to unclear evidence on whether continuous medication is required for its control.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for chronic kidney disease, atrial fibrillation, hiatal hernia, COPD, and prostate cancer as a result of toxic exposure during the Veteran's military service.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of December 12, 2023, for a 50 percent evaluation of bipolar disorder and remanded the other issues for further development.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.