The Board found that the reduction in the Veteran's disability evaluation for ischemic heart disease from 30 percent to 10 percent was improper and void ab initio, as there was no sustained material improvement shown.
The deciding factor: The September 2015 VA examination was less full and complete than the July 2012 VA examination, and did not show sustained material improvement under the ordinary conditions of life and work.
- Claimed conditions
- Ischemic Heart Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 12, 2022
- Citation
- 22001744
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 Board granted service connection for diabetes, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and neuropathy of the right and left upper and lower extremities as secondary to diabetes due to herbicide exposure during the Veteran's service in Okinawa.
- Granted
Service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, due to ischemic heart disease and coronary heart disease, is granted based on presumed exposure to herbicides during service at U-Tapao RTAFB in Thailand.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues for further evidentiary development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling new examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities due to further development needed.
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