The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination opinions regarding the relationship between pericarditis and service, including exposure to pesticides and delousing agents.
The deciding factor: The examiner failed to adequately explain why the Veteran's pericarditis is less likely related to service and did not address whether it is at least as likely as not related to his exposure to chemical warfare agents and pesticides/delousing agents.
- Claimed conditions
- pericarditis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 10, 2020
- Citation
- 20072583
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 the restoration of a 100 percent evaluation for pericarditis and special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria, effective November 1, 2024.
- Dismissed
The appeal of the October 2022 rating decision finding no new and relevant evidence to readjudicate the claim for service connection for myocardial infarction, myocarditis, and pericarditis was dismissed as procedurally defective.
- Partly granted
The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for paresthesia of the lower lip and chin as untimely, denied service connection for an eating disorder and a compensable rating for deviated septum, and remanded claims for service connection for pericarditis, bruxism, and right index finger scar.
- Partly granted
The Board granted restoration of the 30 percent rating for pericarditis effective February 1, 2024, as the reduction was improper. The case is remanded to address entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent.
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