The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing cardiac disorder did not undergo a permanent increase during service and denied his claims for service connection. For Crohn's disease, there was no evidence of in-service symptoms or diagnosis, and the claim was denied as well.
The deciding factor: There is no clear and unmistakable evidence showing an increase in the veteran's pre-existing cardiac disorder during service, nor any direct medical nexus between his current cardiac condition and military service. For Crohn's disease, there were no complaints, treatment, or diagnosis of a gastrointestinal disorder in service, and the claim was denied as well.
- Claimed conditions
- Cardiac Disorder (Aortic Valve Stenosis with Valve Replacement), Crohn's Disease
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 6, 2002
- Citation
- 0209165
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 0209165.
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 Board has restored service connection for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and remanded the issue of service connection for Crohn's Disease.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and Crohn's Disease. Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is denied.,Service connection for hypertension is granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection and initial rating of various conditions, including Crohn's Disease, GERD, left knee disorder, and chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis, to obtain additional medical evidence.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD, awarded a 70 percent rating, and granted TDIU effective January 1, 2017.
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