The veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, osteoarthritis (claimed as rheumatism), residuals of an injury to the chest, arms, and legs, and bronchitis were denied because there is no current disability or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
The deciding factor: There is no medical evidence showing a current disability for any of the claimed conditions. The veteran's reported injuries during service are not supported by contemporaneous medical records, and there is no indication that he was treated for any of the claimed disabilities during or shortly after service.
- Claimed conditions
- Heart disease, Osteoarthritis (claimed as rheumatism), Residuals of an injury to the chest, arms, and legs, Bronchitis (claimed as a lung condition)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 20, 2002
- Citation
- 0204750
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 0204750.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD and right hand scar, but denied service connection for other claimed conditions including diabetes type II, erectile dysfunction, headaches, heart disease, obstructive sleep apnea, left shoulder injury, left hand injury, lower back injury, right shoulder injury, upper back injury, and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for heart disease was dismissed, and the claims for erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and COPD were denied. The claim for chronic hip pain was remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to May 3, 2017 and refers the claim for service connection for heart disease back to the AOJ.
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.