The Veteran's service-connected heart disability has caused impairment to his daily activities, but the Board finds that it is unclear whether this alone warrants SMC based on regular aid and attendance. The case is remanded for a medical opinion to clarify.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not clearly distinguish the effects of the Veteran's service-connected disability from those of his non-service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, old myocardial infarction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 5, 2022
- Citation
- 22038283
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 22038283.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, old myocardial infarction, and stable angina due to insufficient evidence or lack of proper examination.
- 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 claim for service connection for a heart disability and heart surgery scar was granted with an effective date of May 29, 2013. The rating assigned is 60% for the heart disability.
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