The Board has found that the claims for service connection for Congestive Heart Failure, Type II Diabetes, Coronary Artery Disease, and Dilated Cardiomyopathy must be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions. The VA is instructed to clarify the type of toxic exposure conceded in the TERA memo and obtain an adequate opinion addressing the Veteran's exposure to commercial herbicides and insecticides at Fort Polk.
The deciding factor: The VA opinions obtained did not adequately address the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes and heart conditions as they did not address his exposure to commercial herbicides and insecticides, which is a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Claimed conditions
- Congestive Heart Failure, Type II Diabetes, Coronary Artery Disease, Dilated Cardiomyopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 4, 2024
- Citation
- A24080396
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 A24080396.
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 appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination focusing on his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his eligibility for benefits, as well as his need for aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 100 percent for CAD was granted effective November 28, 2023. The effective date is based on the date of a VA examination showing the increase in disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective March 2, 2018, due to his service-connected disabilities including PTSD and other conditions. The decision also noted that the Veteran is currently self-employed as a truck driver.
- 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.
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