The veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective from October 5, 1998. The RO found that the veteran had been prevented from engaging in substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected heart condition since July 31, 1997.
The deciding factor: VA medical records and SSA earnings statements show that the veteran was unable to work due to his service-connected rheumatic heart disease since at least July 31, 1997.
- Claimed conditions
- rheumatic heart disease, pes planus with hallux valgus (bilateral), sensorineural hearing loss, right ear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 4, 2002
- Citation
- 0217487
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 0217487.
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: Dismissed
The appeal concerning the issues of service connection for lateral collateral ligament sprain, right and sensorineural hearing loss, right ear is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatic heart disease was granted. The claim for hypertensive vascular disease was remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for glaucoma, Parkinson's disease, and dementia due to potential TERA exposure. The rating for bilateral hearing loss is also being remanded.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date prior to November 2, 2017, and higher ratings for his heart disability and bilateral knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is November 2, 2017, when VA received the claim after final disallowance. For the knee disabilities, the evidence did not show limitation of flexion to less than 30 degrees or more exacerbations per year.
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