The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cardiovascular and gastrointestinal disabilities, including hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), to include as secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Veteran's obesity is identified as a primary risk factor for her cardiovascular and gastrointestinal disabilities. The VA examiners did not address the link between PTSD medication and obesity.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the VA examiners' opinions were inadequate because they did not consider whether the Veteran’s service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated her obesity, which is identified as a primary risk factor for her cardiovascular and gastrointestinal disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- cardiovascular disability, gastrointestinal disability
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 9, 2021
- Citation
- 21013375
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 21013375.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes, headaches, and a cardiovascular disability due to VA treatment on August 9, 2019. The Veteran contends that he was prescribed Jardiance (Empagliflozin) instead of Metformin, leading to complications such as DKA, renal failure, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, sleep apnea, dizziness, and headaches.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a gastrointestinal disability due to procedural issues and will consider any additional evidence provided by the RO.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will consider whether the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability is related to his service or service-connected PTSD.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a cardiovascular disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.
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