The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, ischemic stroke, and vascular dementia due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The claims are being remanded for further development including new VA examinations.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the AOJ erred in satisfying its duty to assist by failing to obtain adequate medical opinions regarding secondary service connection for ischemic stroke and vascular dementia, as well as hypertension.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertensive vascular disease (claimed as hypertension), embolism of the brain (claimed as ischemic stroke), vascular dementia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 23, 2026
- Citation
- A26038304
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 A26038304.
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 remanded the claims of entitlement to DIC benefits, service connection for cause of death, and accrued benefits due to the need for further development and consideration.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for hypertension, cerebrovascular accident, and vascular dementia were granted, while his claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for vascular dementia is dismissed as the benefit sought has already been granted in full.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The VA must obtain the Veteran's outstanding private treatment records from Sandgate Gardens and Dr. Nduku, and provide an adequate medical opinion regarding the need for aid and attendance.
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