The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination opinions regarding causation and aggravation of the Veteran's heart disability, specifically atrial fibrillation. The VA must obtain new medical opinions addressing these issues.
The deciding factor: The decision was remanded because the previous examinations did not adequately address whether the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II caused or aggravated his heart disability (atrial fibrillation).
- Claimed conditions
- heart disability (previously claimed as paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and heart condition)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 11, 2022
- Citation
- 22014177
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 22014177.
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 Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his active duty service or any service-connected disabilities. The Board also found that the Veteran’s heart murmur noted at separation was not related to his current arrhythmia.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
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