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 assigned
- None in this 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 denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.