The Board has remanded the claims to reopen for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hypertension due to new evidence being added to the file. The AOJ is required to obtain service personnel records and clinic records from Germany, review all associated evidence, and issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case if warranted.
The deciding factor: The Board found that additional development was needed as there were new documents in the file since the last decision, including Social Security medical records, VA treatment records, and service treatment records. The AOJ is required to obtain these records and review all associated evidence before making a determination on the claims.
- Claimed conditions
- gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 28, 2021
- Citation
- 21025756
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 21025756.
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.
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The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
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The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and increased rating for anxiety disorder have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the criteria for hypertension, and the Veteran's anxiety disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
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