The Veteran's initial ratings for coronary artery disease and hypertension have been granted, but no higher. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his current symptoms.,Service connection for COPD and malignant neoplasm of major salivary glands is remanded due to lack of an etiological opinion.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran's coronary artery disease or hypertension met the criteria for a higher rating based on their current symptoms. The Board found no functional impact from these conditions.,Service connection for COPD and malignant neoplasm of major salivary glands is remanded because there was insufficient medical opinion regarding whether these conditions are related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Coronary artery disease, Hypertension, Pancreatic disorder (claimed as pancreatic mass), Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - also claimed as emphysema, Malignant neoplasm of major salivary glands
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 26, 2026
- Citation
- A26017783
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 A26017783.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service or herbicide exposure.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 10% rating for hypertension effective December 1, 2025 and denied a rating in excess of 10%. The reduction from 10% to noncompensable was not proper.
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