The Board found that the veteran's aortic valve stenosis clearly and unmistakably preexisted service and was not aggravated during active duty.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence showed that the veteran had congenital heart disease, including aortic valve stenosis, which existed prior to his military service and did not worsen due to service.
- Claimed conditions
- aortic valve stenosis
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 20, 2002
- Citation
- 0212650
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 0212650.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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 service connection for pancreatic cancer is granted. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for aortic valve stenosis and obstructive sleep apnea due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to the Veteran's service-connected cardiac disability, and dismissed the DIC claim as moot.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for aortic valve stenosis as secondary to hypertension, but denied service connection for left and right hip osteoarthritis and remanded the claim for further development regarding osteoporosis of the back.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for aortic valve stenosis, arteriosclerotic heart disease (claimed as heart disease), and hypertension due to insufficient development of evidence regarding potential herbicide exposure during service.
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