The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an etiology opinion regarding the cause of atrial fibrillation, which is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure. The examiner should consider all toxic exposure risk activities, including TERA.
The deciding factor: The claim requires consideration of the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and whether it was aggravated by his current condition (atrial fibrillation), as well as the potential impact of herbicide exposure during military service.
- Claimed conditions
- atrial fibrillation
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 26, 2023
- Citation
- 23058027
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 23058027.
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
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for atrial fibrillation and distressed heart (previously claimed as irregular heartbeat) based on evidence of a link to the Veteran's military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right groin pain, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, cardiac arrest residuals, left kidney disease, stroke residuals, vertigo, and vision loss. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred in or are otherwise related to service.,The Board found no credible evidence showing the Veteran experienced any of these conditions during his active duty service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received for the claims of service connection for bilateral dry eye disorder, atrial fibrillation (including as secondary to hypertension), left eye disorder other than dry eye including amaurosis fugax, and right foot or ankle disorder (including as secondary to left foot and/or left ankle disability). The appeals are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the current record.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's atrial fibrillation is at least as likely as not related to his active-duty service and grants service connection for this condition.
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