The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's aortic insufficiency and its relationship to his military service. The VA needs to obtain updated treatment records and provide an opinion on when the condition first manifested, whether it is congenital or related to pre-existing conditions, and if it was aggravated by any periods of active duty.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there are insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's aortic insufficiency and its relationship to his military service. Therefore, additional development is needed to provide these necessary opinions.
- Claimed conditions
- aortic insufficiency
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 14, 2021
- Citation
- 21021936
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 21021936.
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: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for aortic insufficiency, aortic stenosis and congestive heart failure, and carotid artery disease. The conditions are related to in-service exposure to toxic substances and stress.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the proposed reduction of his rating for hypertensive heart disease, including valvular heart disease and aortic insufficiency.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer with urinary incontinence, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), aortic insufficiency, and urothelial carcinoma (bladder cancer) as the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's heart condition, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service. The decision also acknowledges that the Veteran's PTSD may have contributed to his heart conditions.
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