The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatic fever and for claimed residuals of exposure to microwave radar emissions, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
The deciding factor: The pre-existing rheumatic fever existed before service and was not aggravated during service. The veteran's current conditions were not found to be related to the microwave radar emissions or trichloroethylene use he claimed.
- Claimed conditions
- rheumatic fever, cardiomyopathy/congestive heart failure/hypertension, hiatal hernia, surgical scars of the shoulders/forehead and right cheek, nasal papule/rough papules on the hands, eye problems (corneal vorticillata/Fuch's dystrophy/cataract), diverticulosis/colon polyps/history of bleeding peptic ulcers
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 18, 2005
- Citation
- 0519447
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 0519447.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate development of her exposure history and lack of adequate medical opinions. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's TDIU rating is granted with an effective date of March 15, 2017.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial disability rating for migraine headaches has been granted at 50 percent. The issue of service connection for hiatal hernia and esophagitis, related to PTSD, is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia is rated at a 30 percent disability rating, effective March 12, 2021.
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