The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was denied as the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that his condition began during active service or was related to an in-service injury.,The appellant's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability manifested by hypothyroidism was denied because the VA examiner found no indication that the Veteran's use of amiodarone caused his condition.,The appellant's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability due to failure to remove a surgical clip in the left lower ankle and staple in the lower left leg were denied as the VA examiner found no evidence that the Veteran experienced an event not reasonably foreseeable or fault on the part of VA.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's coronary artery disease began during active service or was related to an in-service injury.,The use of amiodarone, prescribed after the Veteran's February 2005 surgery, is considered standard of care and not out of the ordinary. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's hypothyroidism was less likely due to fault on the part of VA.,There was no indication of a failure to exercise proper skill or judgment by VA in removing the surgical clip and staple from the Veteran's left lower leg/ankle, as residual pain is more likely associated with degenerative changes rather than carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault.
- Claimed conditions
- coronary artery disease, hypothyroidism, left ankle/leg condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 27, 2021
- Citation
- 21065826
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 21065826.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and stroke as there was no evidence of herbicide agent exposure during service and the medical opinions were against a nexus to service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction is granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Korea.
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