The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claims for service connection for atrial fibrillation and for increased ratings for various disabilities. The issues are being remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claim for service connection for atrial fibrillation is based on his contention that it is secondary to his service-connected Parkinson's disease, which has caused hypotension. The Board agrees that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's atrial fibrillation.
- Claimed conditions
- Atrial fibrillation, Unspecified depressive disorder with insomnia, Loss of automatic movements, left vagus cranial nerve, Loss of automatic movements, right vagus cranial nerve, Loss of automatic movements, left hypoglossal cranial nerve, Loss of automatic movements, right hypoglossal cranial nerve, Loss of automatic movements, left glossopharyngeal cranial nerve, Loss of automatic movements, right glossopharyngeal cranial nerve, Loss of automatic movements, left facial cranial nerve, Loss of automatic movements, right facial cranial nerve
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 27, 2022
- Citation
- 22017984
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 22017984.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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 claim of entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance for the Veteran's spouse due to conflicting information in the June 2025 examination. A VA examination is needed to determine if the spouse requires regular aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death (acute respiratory failure, atrial fibrillation, and/or hypertension) is related to his active duty service, including from exposure to toxins and chemicals from open burn pits during the harsh winters in Korea. The Board finds a pre-decisional duty to assist error and remands for obtaining a VA medical opinion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's death was caused by cardiopulmonary arrest, with congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and coronary artery disease presence of stent as the underlying cause. The Board has determined that there is a need for additional medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension, which he had during service, contributed to his death.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for cause of death, finding that his service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death. The evidence showed well-controlled heart symptoms prior to death and no causal relationship between anxiety and cardiopulmonary disease or renal failure.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.