The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a heart disorder related to service or a service-connected disability. Service connection for multiple joints affected by joint pain (excluding right knee and left ankle) is granted, but no specific rating is assigned as it pertains to an existing condition. Service connection for traumatic arthritis of the left talonavicular joint is granted with a 10 percent rating from June 1989 through June 1997.
The deciding factor: The veteran's heart disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor is it proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability. The arthritis of the left talonavicular joint is considered direct service connection as no other theory of service connection is applicable.
- Claimed conditions
- heart disorder, joint pain, degenerative arthritis of the left talonavicular joint, rheumatic fever
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- March 3, 2000
- Citation
- 0005854
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0005854.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for hypertension, a heart disorder, and diabetes mellitus as the evidence did not support a positive nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a heart disorder, specifically atrial fibrillation, due to exposure to herbicide agents during active duty service in the Republic of Vietnam.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the case to obtain a more comprehensive medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's joint pain, particularly addressing his reported symptoms and exposure during Gulf War service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for heart disorder, stroke residuals, sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) to obtain addendum opinions addressing specific risk factors.
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