The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for shrapnel wounds to his right hip and heart disease, as well as increased ratings for other disabilities. The decision also noted that an issue regarding a back disability was remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support service connection for either condition due to lack of medical evidence linking the conditions to service or any service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- heart disease (endocarditis with mitral valve replacement), shrapnel wound, right hip
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- March 19, 2004
- Citation
- 0407261
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 0407261.
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.
- Dismissed
The veteran's appeal for service connection was dismissed due to untimely filing.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the case to obtain additional evidence regarding the Veteran's employment and the impact of his service-connected conditions on his ability to work.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for right shoulder, right hip, an acquired psychiatric disability, respiratory issues, and oral cyst to correct duty-to-assist errors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, hip, and lower back pain disabilities due to a duty to assist error.
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