The Board denied restoration of service connection for organic heart disease and mitral valve stenosis, finding that the veteran's condition existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the presumption of soundness applied, as there were no clinical findings or complaints during service, and the veteran had a pre-service condition.
- Claimed conditions
- organic heart disease, mitral valve stenosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 12, 2001
- Citation
- 0107286
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0107286.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's heart condition was rated at 100% but reduced to 60%. The reduction was overturned, and the original rating of 100% is restored. SMC based on housebound criteria is also restored.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart disability, including heart palpitations. The claims are pending further development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's heart disability and its relationship to service, as well as the lack of verification for radiation exposure in Korea. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for a heart disability and the need to verify radiation exposure in Korea. The Veteran's heart disabilities are currently diagnosed, but their etiology is unclear.
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