The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for mitral valve regurgitation, finding that it did not manifest to a degree of 10% within one year after separation from active service and could not be presumed due to exposure to Agent Orange or other presumptive conditions.
The deciding factor: Mitral valve regurgitation was diagnosed following the appellant's active military service but did not meet the criteria for service connection as it did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service.
- Claimed conditions
- mitral valve regurgitation
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 17, 2002
- Citation
- 0214484
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 0214484.
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.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, mitral valve regurgitation, and prostate cancer as there is no probative evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his mitral valve regurgitation, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and hypertension, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. As such, TDIU is granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's heart disorder is related to his service-connected esophageal and lung cancers, and the Board has granted secondary service connection for a heart disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's TDIU, SMC at the housebound rate, and basic eligibility for DEA are granted effective February 8, 2023. The Board is remanding these claims to review evidence from June 25, 2020, when service connection was established.
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.