The Board has remanded the case due to inadequacies in previously obtained opinions regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for mitral valve prolapse and related symptoms. The AOJ is required to obtain an addendum from a new VA examiner addressing the Veteran's additional reported symptoms of left arm discomfort and dizziness, and whether they are at least as likely as not related to his service-connected hypertension or other conditions. If necessary, a VA examination will be scheduled to determine if there is a nexus between the Veteran's current mental health disability or pulmonary/lung function disability (chest pain, arm pain, shortness of breath, dizziness) and his active service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the previous opinions were inadequate and remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed symptoms and their relationship to his service-connected hypertension and other conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- mitral valve prolapse, chest pain, left arm discomfort, dizziness
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 29, 2024
- Citation
- 24004263
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,863 · Granted: 26% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 24004263.
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 found that additional VA opinions are needed to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's dizziness, including benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, and tension headaches, including migraines. The opinions should consider the Veteran's participation in a TERA and the combined effect of all his service-connected disabilities.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to posttraumatic headache, insomnia, left ankle condition, lumbosacral strain (lower back), and chest pain. The appeal was dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of these claims.
- Denied
The Veteran's dizziness condition is rated at a 10 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 6204, as the evidence does not show occasional staggering. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for TBI, back strain, chest pain, foot pain, and tendonitis as there is no evidence of disease or injury incurred during active duty or training.
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