The Board denied the veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for a heart disorder and otitis media, as well as his petition for an increased evaluation for residuals of right mandible fracture. The evidence received since the January 1965 rating decision did not constitute new and material evidence. The failure to report for a VA examination in connection with the claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of right mandible fracture resulted in denial.
The deciding factor: The veteran failed to appear for a scheduled VA examination, which is considered a failure to provide good cause.
- Claimed conditions
- heart disorder, otitis media
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 26, 2004
- Citation
- 0410667
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 0410667.
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 denied service connection for hypertension, a heart disorder, and diabetes mellitus as the evidence did not support a positive nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a heart disorder, specifically atrial fibrillation, due to exposure to herbicide agents during active duty service in the Republic of Vietnam.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for heart disorder, stroke residuals, sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) to obtain addendum opinions addressing specific risk factors.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, otitis media, and a skin disability as there was no evidence to support that these conditions were related to his military service.
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