The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cardiovascular disease with mitral valve prolapse, an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for GERD, a higher evaluation for dysthymic disorder, and an increased evaluation for chronic bronchitis.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not establish that the veteran had cardiovascular disease with mitral valve prolapse incurred or aggravated by service. The evaluations for GERD, dysthymic disorder, and chronic bronchitis were also denied as there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Cardiovascular disease with mitral valve prolapse, Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), Dysthymic disorder, Chronic bronchitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 23, 2003
- Citation
- 0328758
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 0328758.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied earlier effective dates for increased ratings and granted earlier effective dates for certain hip conditions, while restoring some disability ratings.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, and dysthymic disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea based on the evidence being at least evenly balanced.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the 70 percent rating for his service-connected psychiatric disability, finding that May 9, 2022, was the earliest date as of which it was factually ascertainable based on all evidence of record that an increase in disability had occurred.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection of psychiatric disabilities to obtain an opinion from a medical examiner.
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