ATRIAL FIBRILLATION OR ATRIAL FLUTTER
PAULETTE VANCE BURTON · 2026 · Case ID: A26036667
Summary
The Veteran served in the United States Navy from February 1992 to August 1994. This case comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a March 2020 rating decision. The Veteran elected the Hearing docket, and testified at a hearing in October 2024. The Board is bound by a February 2026 rating decision from the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) that granted service connection for atrial fibrillation, including ventricular tachycardia and automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD), which was claimed as supraventricular arrhythmia with automatic implantable cardio-defibrillator, atrial fibrillation, and vent-tachycardia. The Board found that the criteria for service connection for atrial fibrillation and distressed heart (previously claimed as irregular heartbeat) were met. Therefore, service connection for atrial fibrillation is granted.
Rationale
Board is bound by favorable AOJ decision; Criteria for service connection met
Full Decision Text
Citation Nr: A26036667 Decision Date: 04/20/26 Archive Date: 04/20/26 DOCKET NO. 200518-87734 DATE: April 20, 2026 ORDER Service connection for atrial fibrillation and distressed heart (previously claimed as irregular heartbeat) is granted. FINDING OF FACT A February 2026 rating decision granted service connection for atrial fibrillation including ventricular tachycardia and automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD) (claimed as supraventricular arrhythmia with automatic implantable cardio-defibrillator, atrial fibrillation and vent-tachycardia). CONCLUSION OF LAW The criteria for service connection for atrial fibrillation and distressed heart (previously claimed as irregular heartbeat) have been met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.303, 3.304. REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Navy from February 1992 to August 1994. This case comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a March 2020 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ). In a May 2020 VA Form 10182, the Veteran elected the Hearing docket. Therefore, the Board may consider only the evidence of record at the time of the decision on appeal, as well as any evidence submitted by the Veteran or the authorized representative at the hearing or within 90 days of the hearing. See 38 C.F.R. § 20.302(a). The Veteran testified at a hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge in October 2024. A transcript of the hearing has been associated with the claims file. During the pendency of the appeal, the AOJ issued a rating decision in February 2026 granting service connection for atrial fibrillation including ventricular tachycardia and automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD) (claimed as supraventricular arrhythmia with automatic implantable cardio-defibrillator, atrial fibrillation and vent-tachycardia). The Board is bound by this favorable finding and thus service connection for atrial fibrillation is granted. 38 C.F.R. § 3.104(c). Paulette Vance Burton Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board Jarvis, Krystal L. 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.