The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for post-ablation atrial fibrillation prior to August 6, 2021 is denied as there is no objective evidence of episodes of atrial fibrillation.,The Veteran's ankle disability remains in need of further examination and evaluation due to the lack of adequate findings from previous examinations.,The Veteran's post-ablation atrial fibrillation for the period beginning on August 6, 2021, is also remanded as there are conflicting reports regarding his symptoms.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not confirm episodes of atrial fibrillation prior to August 6, 2021, despite the Veteran's subjective reports.,Previous examinations did not adequately assess the Veteran's ankle disability due to a lack of findings on PROM and flare-ups assessment.,There are conflicting reports regarding the frequency of atrial fibrillation episodes since August 6, 2021.
- Claimed conditions
- Atrial Fibrillation
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 15, 2024
- Citation
- 24012237
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 24012237.
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
Service connection for OSA is granted, and the Veteran's initial ratings for atrial fibrillation, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity neuralgia, and left upper extremity neuralgia are all granted at 10 percent.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Congestive Heart Failure with Atrial Fibrillation with AICD and Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), finding that there was no evidence of direct service connection, and that the conditions were not caused or aggravated by service-connected OSA.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC in excess of SMC(n) based on his service-connected conditions and additional disabilities, as well as his need for aid and attendance. The appeal was dismissed.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.
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