The Board has vacated the June 2020 decision granting service connection for non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, as there was no pending claim at the time of death. The Veteran did not have ischemic heart disease and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy is not recognized by VA as a disease associated with exposure to certain herbicides.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not have ischemic heart disease at any point in his lifetime, and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy is not recognized by VA as a disease associated with exposure to certain herbicides.
- Claimed conditions
- non-ischemic cardiomyopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 21, 2021
- Citation
- 21003312
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 21003312.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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 Veteran's non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, AICD, and heart arrhythmias are found to be related to his military service due to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. The appeal is granted.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for non-obstructive coronary artery disease and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after separation, and that his current heart conditions are not related to active service or exposure to toxins.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a heart disability to obtain an adequate medical opinion addressing secondary service connection, specifically concerning aggravation.
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