The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for hypertensive heart disease was denied, as the condition does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,Service connection for hypertensive heart disease was granted with an effective date of September 12, 2018. The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating for end-stage renal disease and TDIU were both remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.
The deciding factor: The criteria for a higher evaluation of hypertensive heart disease have not been met, as the condition does not meet the specific requirements outlined in the Rating Schedule.,Service connection was granted with an effective date of September 12, 2018, but the Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date. The claim has no prior formal or informal communication indicating intent to file a claim for service connection before this date.,The claims for increased rating and TDIU are remanded due to the need for updated medical evidence regarding the current severity of the kidney condition.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertensive heart disease, acute myocardial infarction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 29, 2020
- Citation
- 20070322
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a heart condition to obtain an addendum opinion from a VA clinician regarding whether the Veteran's current heart condition is related to service, including in-service treatment for hypertension.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including a bilateral eye disability and cardiovascular conditions, based on the Veteran's in-service occupational exposures.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and accrued benefits due to pending asbestos exposure development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's cause of death, specifically addressing whether in-service toxic exposures led to hypertension and ultimately caused his death.
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