The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disorder (coronary artery disease) and diabetes mellitus II are remanded due to the need for VA examinations to evaluate whether these conditions are related to his military service.
The deciding factor: VA is required to provide a VA examination if there is insufficient evidence of record to decide the claim, including when the Veteran reports symptoms that may be related to service and the medical examiner cannot determine whether they are related without resorting to speculation.
- Claimed conditions
- Heart Disorder (Coronary Artery Disease), Diabetes Mellitus II
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 30, 2021
- Citation
- 21071392
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 21071392.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the permanent loss of use of his left foot and upper right extremity, allowing for entitlement to an allowance for an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus II, congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction associated with PTSD, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the entire appeal period. The Board granted his TDIU claim.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for COPD and an increased rating for CAD. The COPD claim requires a retrospective opinion considering all conceded in-service exposures, including those not previously discussed (e.g., industrial solvent, PCBs, vibration, noise, CARC Paint, PFAS, and Radiation). The CAD claim requires issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case addressing entitlement to a higher rating.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome was granted, but the appeals for diabetes mellitus II, high blood pressure, and Schatzki's ring esophagus were denied. The veteran's late appeal request was not accepted due to untimeliness.
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