The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's aortic condition, specifically whether it is related to his service-connected hiatal hernia and/or ventral incisional hernia. The AOJ must obtain an independent medical opinion from a cardiology expert specializing in such conditions.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the previous opinions were inadequate as they did not address the Veteran's service-connected ventral incisional hernia and did not provide sufficient rationale for their conclusions regarding the relationship between his hiatal hernia and aortic condition.
- Claimed conditions
- status post, acute ascending aortic dissection (aortic condition), hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 4, 2023
- Citation
- 23013274
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 23013274.
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 Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional VA medical opinions and treatment records.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for payment of non-VA care provided at Mercy Health Saint Ritas Medical Center LLC on May 14, 2021 is granted due to the timely filing and eligibility under 38 U.S.C. § 1728.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and an acquired psychiatric condition to include PTSD with depression and anxiety have been granted.,Service connection has been established for these conditions based on new evidence received since previous denial decisions.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.
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