The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for circulation problems in the legs, service connection for strokes, and DIC for the cause of the Veteran's death. The remand is due to inadequate reasoning in the previous decision regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity.
The deciding factor: The October 2013 VA medical opinion did not adequately address whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity, and if so, whether it was a substantial factor in causing or aggravating his circulation problems in the legs, strokes, and/or causes of death listed on his death certificate.
- Claimed conditions
- circulation problems in the legs, strokes, cerebrovascular disease, atherosclerotic vascular disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 14, 2021
- Citation
- 21063487
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 21063487.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's CAD, hypertension, prostate condition, and strokes were not shown to be related to service or any incident therein.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), secondary to the Veteran's strokes, was also denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cause of death and DIC benefits due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ is instructed to develop the Veteran's potential exposures in service, including exposure to asbestos, jet fuel, herbicide agents, and possible radiation-risk activities. Medical opinions are needed regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his active service or service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is needed, including obtaining an addendum VA opinion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will need to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cause of death.
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