Citation Nr: 21024342 Decision Date: 04/22/21 Archive Date: 04/22/21 DOCKET NO. 14-38 304A DATE: April 22, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to dependents and indemnity compensation for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served honorably with the United States Army Air Corps from February 1943 to November 1945. The Veteran was awarded the Purple Heart for his service during World War II. The Veteran died in December 2011. The Appellant in the present appeal is his surviving widow. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from an April 2012 rating decision issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). The Appellant testified before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge at a Board videoconference hearing in July 2018. A transcript of the hearing has been associated with the record. In October 2018, and July 2020, the Board remanded the appeal for further development. Regrettably, a remand is again required. Turning to the details of the case, the Veteran’s cause of death was listed as cardiopulmonary arrest, ischemic cardiomyopathy/congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease. Other significant conditions contributing to the Veteran’s death were coronary artery bypass graft, pacemaker, aortic stenosis, and pulmonary hypertension. At the time of his death, the Veteran was service-connected for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and burn scars. During the July 2018 Board hearing, the Appellant asserted that the Veteran monitored his blood pressure frequently. She added that the Veteran’s blood pressure was higher than normal when he became upset. The Appellant called the Veteran’s doctors, as instructed, when his blood pressure was too high. The Appellant believes that high blood pressure due to GAD caused the Veteran’s death. Specifically, while on remand most recently, VA addendum opinions were obtained in September 2020 and December 2020. However, the September 2020 VA examiner failed to provide an opinion on aggravation, or comment on the Appellant’s contentions that his GAD caused his hypertension. Similarly, while the December 2020 VA examiner found that the Veteran’s heart disorder was not caused or aggravated by his GAD, his rationale addressed causation and not aggravation. Additionally, he also did not address the Appellant’s contentions. The Board notes that, in November 2020, the late Veteran’s former physician, Dr. U.R., submitted an opinion stating his belief that the Veteran’s “anxiety disorder/mental health issue for years more likely exacerbated his hypertension and heart disease causing his death.” However, as this opinion is not supported by a rationale, it is of limited probative value. Based on the above, another addendum opinion is required. The matter is REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate medical professional as to the etiology of the Veteran’s heart condition that resulted in his death. Following a review of the claims file, the examiner is asked to furnish an opinion with respect to the following questions: The examiner should offer an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the Veteran’s heart condition was either caused OR aggravated by his service-connected GAD. Specifically, the examiner is asked to address the medical opinions provided by Dr. U.R. and Dr. D.W. and the Appellant’s contentions that the Veteran’s hypertension was due to his GAD, because his blood pressure became elevated when he was upset, and, ultimately, that high blood pressure due to GAD caused his death. Any opinion must be supported by a full rationale. 2. Readjudicate the appeal. L. M. BARNARD Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board A.Z., Counsel The Board’s decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.