The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for his hypertensive heart disease is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of previously performed stress tests.
The deciding factor: The December 2019 VA examination did not perform exercise stress testing, which was marked as not required but poses significant risk. The Board finds this finding contradictory to the Veteran's medical records.
- Claimed conditions
- Hypertensive Heart Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 5, 2023
- Citation
- 23048538
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 23048538.
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 CAD warrants a 60 percent rating, but the Board has determined that an earlier effective date is warranted due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding direct service connection.
- Granted
The Board granted a 30 percent rating for coronary heart disease effective February 10, 2021. The Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date or increased rating.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted SMC at the rate of 50% for his service-connected conditions from April 20, 2020 to June 7, 2021.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for service-connected erectile dysfunction was granted. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 60 percent disabling for service-connected hypertensive heart disease prior to March 31, 2023 was denied.
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