The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's heart conditions are related to his service-connected exposure to herbicides. The VA is instructed to provide a supplemental medical opinion addressing the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran’s hypertension and heart disorders, including their relation to service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to determine whether the Veteran's heart conditions are related to his service-connected exposure to herbicides due to uncertainty about the relationship between hypertension and herbicide exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, chronic atrial fibrillation, left ventricular dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 16, 2021
- Citation
- 21015035
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 21015035.
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 service connection for the cause of death and burial benefits due to a lack of medical opinion regarding the Veteran's exposure at Camp Lejeune, which could impact his eligibility for these benefits.
- 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 matter to obtain a TERA opinion and relevant treatment records as part of the duty to assist.
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