The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to clarify the nature and etiology of any heart disorder present, including whether ischemic cardiomyopathy represents a separately diagnosable condition from those already provided in the December 2022 VA examination report. The case will be remanded for an additional VA medical opinion.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there is insufficient information to determine if ischemic cardiomyopathy is a separate diagnosis or related to service, and thus requires further clarification.
- Claimed conditions
- Ischemic cardiomyopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 19, 2023
- Citation
- 23023097
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 23023097.
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 Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and other disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 29, 2020. Effective from that date, the Veteran is granted TDIU and SMC housebound.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his heart condition was not related to his military service and could not be presumed due to herbicide exposure. The Board also found insufficient evidence linking his heart condition to asbestos exposure during service.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to chronic suppurative otitis media, which aggravated the Veteran's pre-existing heart conditions and led to his fall resulting in death.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his ischemic heart disease was related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and contributed substantially to his death.
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.