The Board has determined that the reduction from a 60 percent to a 30 percent rating for service-connected atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease was improper and has ordered restoration of the 60 percent rating effective May 1, 2016.
The deciding factor: The RO did not comply with the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.344 when it reduced the Veteran's disability rating in January 2016.
- Claimed conditions
- Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 3, 2021
- Citation
- 21040407
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 21040407.
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 Veteran's service-connected residuals of thrombosis, TIA or cerebral infarction (claimed as stroke) manifesting by weakness and tremor of the right upper extremity are rated at 40 percent.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's cause of death (COPD and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease) is not service-connected as there is no evidence showing the conditions had their onset during service or were related to any incident of service, including in-service asbestos exposure. The Board finds that smoking was not caused by his service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) due to the receipt of his claim on August 19, 2025.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring an addendum VA medical opinion on whether the Veteran's current heart conditions are related to his service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and his MOS as a mechanic.
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