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 assigned
- None in this 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 21015035.
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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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