Citation Nr: 25003591
Decision Date: 03/14/25	Archive Date: 03/14/25

DOCKET NO. 16-54 585
DATE: March 14, 2025

REMANDED

From July 25, 2014 to November 11, 2020, entitlement to a rating greater than 60 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) status post myocardial infarction with stenting x2 status post percutaneous coronary intervention (formerly ischemic heart disease status post myocardial infarction) is remanded.

Entitlement to an initial rating greater than 10 percent for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation under DC 7010 is remanded.

Entitlement to an earlier effective date than July 15, 2015 for the award of service connection for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation under DC 7010 is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Air Force from February 1964 to February 1968, including foreign service.  For his meritorious service, the Veteran was awarded (among other decorations) the Air Force Commendation Medal.

These matters are before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a March 2015 rating decision by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).

The Veteran testified during a November 2020 virtual hearing.  A transcript of this proceeding has been associated with the record.

Historically, these appeals were denied by the Board in November 2023.  In July 2024 and upon receipt of a Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMPR), the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court) vacated the Board's determinations and remanded the matters for further review.

In part, the parties noted that VA treatment records available at the time of the Board's 2023 denial repeatedly referenced records in VistA imaging which were not affiliated with the claims file at that time.  On remand, the RO is instructed to obtain the Veteran's separate VistA imaging records spanning the period on appeal.

In its recent review of the record, the Board also notes that VA treatment records updated in December 2024 are corrupted and cannot be opened.  On remand, the RO is asked to upload a copy of these records which can be reviewed.  

The matters are REMANDED for the following actions:

1. Review the VA treatment records associated with the claims file in December 2024 and ensure that a legible, non-corrupted version of this evidence is associated with the claims file.

2. Obtain and associate with the record all VistA imaging records spanning the period on appeal and which are relevant to the instant matters.

As identified by the parties in their JMPR, this includes BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO VistA imaging reported in the following records:

"	May 10, 2016 VA Addendum;

"	 May 10, 2016 Cardiology Cardiac Device Follow-Up Note;

"	April 17, 2019 Pacemaker/AICD Note;

"	July 18, 2018 Pacemaker/AICD Note;

"	March 30, 2016; January 7, 2016; and October 27, 2015 Arrhythmia Clinic Notes;

"	August 11, 2015 Arrhythmia Clinic Note;

"	May 10, 2016 VA Addendum and Cardiology Cardiac Device Follow-Up Note;

"	December 2, 2015 VA Addendum; and

"	April 1, 2015 Cardiology Procedure Report.

 

 

Evan M. Deichert

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	Kovarovic, Kate

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.