The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for atrial septal defect (claimed as organic heart disease) was denied by the RO, and he appealed this decision. The Board reopened his claim in May 2001 based on new evidence submitted by the veteran and granted service connection with a June 29, 2000 effective date.
The deciding factor: The RO determined that no new and material evidence had been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for organic heart disease. The Board reopened the claim in May 2001 based on new medical opinions provided by Drs. P. and B., which indicated that the veteran's pre-existing heart condition was aggravated by his service duties.
- Claimed conditions
- atriial septal defect, organic heart disease
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 25, 2004
- Citation
- 0423366
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 0423366.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's heart condition was rated at 100% but reduced to 60%. The reduction was overturned, and the original rating of 100% is restored. SMC based on housebound criteria is also restored.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart disability, including heart palpitations. The claims are pending further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives, specifically regarding a VA medical opinion on whether the Veteran's heart conditions are aggravated by service and if they are related to her service-connected asthma.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's heart disorders. The opinions are needed to determine whether any diagnosed heart disorder is ischemic or congenital in nature, and if so, whether it was caused or aggravated by service.
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