Citation Nr: 21026393
Decision Date: 05/03/21	Archive Date: 05/03/21

DOCKET NO. 16-23 087
DATE: May 3, 2021

REMANDED

Service connection for a cardiovascular (CV) disorder.

Service connection for hypertension (HTN).

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran died in October 2017. His surviving spouse has been properly substituted as the claimant. The Board denied the appeals in February 2020. After an appeal to the Veterans Claims Court, the Court Clerk granted a joint motion for remand in October 2020, vacating the portion of the February 2020 Board decision which denied entitlement to service connection for a CV disorder and HTN. 

Pursuant to the JMR, as to a CV disorder, a January 2018 private physician found that congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis of the aorta, and cardiomegaly were likely related to probable exposure to carcinogenic chemicals during service; however, did not provide a rationale for this opinion. As to HTN, an April 2016 VA examiner failed to provide an opinion as to whether HTN was related to service, to include as due to herbicides. Accordingly, remand is necessary to obtain medical opinions to determine the etiology of a CV disorder and HTN.  

The matters are REMANDED for the following actions:

1. Identify and obtain any pertinent, outstanding VA and private treatment records and associate them with the claims file.

2. Direct the claims file to a clinician for an opinion as to the following: 

	Is it at least as likely as not (a 50 percent probability or greater) that a CV disorder was related to service, to include as due to herbicide exposure? 

	Is it at least as likely as not that HTN was related to service, to include as due to herbicide exposure? 

	Is it at least as likely as not that HTN was proximately due to or aggravated beyond its natural progression by service-connected disabilities, including diabetes, diabetic chronic kidney disease, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, hearing loss, or tinnitus?

A thorough rationale is requested for all opinions rendered. 

 

 

L. HOWELL

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	T. Kokolas, Associate 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 This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.