The Veteran's atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The issue of service connection for atrial fibrillation with congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy, including as secondary to other conditions, remains pending.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents has been established, and there is no affirmative evidence of intercurrent etiology for his atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The issue of service connection for atrial fibrillation with congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy remains pending.
- Claimed conditions
- atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, atrial fibrillation with congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 1, 2021
- Citation
- 21071699
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 21071699.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of death and its relation to service. The Veteran's atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and colon cancer are being evaluated for their relationship to toxic exposure during service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for myocardial infarction, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and coronary artery disease was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claim.
- Granted
The Veteran's atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease was granted an initial 60 percent disability rating from February 23, 2023 to February 19, 2024. The appeal is denied for ratings in excess of 60 percent and entitlement to TDIU and SMC.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period from February 27, 2020 is dismissed as moot because he has a combined 100% disability rating and does not meet the criteria for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) due to being permanently housebound.
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