Citation Nr: 21030045
Decision Date: 05/17/21	Archive Date: 05/17/21

DOCKET NO. 08-39 314
DATE: May 17, 2021

REMANDED

The claim for service connection for a cardiac condition, to include a cardiac aortic insufficiency condition, tricuspid insufficiency, and atrial fibrillation, is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force from November 1975 to November 1979, and in the Air National Guard from March 1998 to March 2006.  The record reflects that the Veteran had additional service in the Air National Guard in between his two periods of active duty service, and perhaps additional active duty.  Of note, the DD-214 coving the period of service from 1998-2006 noted 20 years of prior active duty.

The matter is on appeal before the Board from an October 2006 rating decision.  The Board most recently remanded the issue for further development in December 2020.  The Board regrets the further delay in adjudication that another remand will create, however, a remand is warranted to corroborate the Veteran's periods of active duty.  

In addition to the active duty noted above, which is corroborated by the Veteran's DD 214s, the Veteran's personnel record reflects that he was ordered to active duty from March 1982 to March 1989.  A personnel record pertaining to the Veteran's retirement also notes that the Veteran had "28 years of active service".  On a pertinent record in the Veteran's service treatment records from June 3, 1994, where he was referred for an EKG due to complaints of chest pain, he was noted to be on active duty.  Also of note, the DD-214 covering the period from 1998-2006 noted 20 years of prior active duty.

As such, a remand is warranted to corroborate the Veteran's periods of active duty service, specifically in June 1994, as it may have a determinative effect on the appeal.

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

Verify the Veteran's active duty service, to include any active service in the Air National Guard in between the Veteran's two periods of active service that are reflected on his DD 214s.  Specifically, verify any active duty service in June 1994. 

 

 

MATTHEW W. BLACKWELDER

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	S. Lutgens-Staley, 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 This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.