The veteran's claims for service connection for mitral valve prolapse and increased evaluations for his lumbar spine and right ankle disabilities were denied, but he was granted separate initial evaluations of 10 percent each for traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine and status post fracture, right ankle with retained hardware and traumatic arthritis.
The deciding factor: The veteran's service connection claim for mitral valve prolapse was denied as there is no evidence to support this condition. The claims for increased evaluations were granted but at a maximum schedular evaluation (20%) based on the severity of his symptoms and clinical findings, which did not meet criteria for higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- mitral valve prolapse, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, status post fracture, right ankle with retained hardware and traumatic arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 30, 2005
- Citation
- 0535135
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 0535135.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine arthritis is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and will provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 40% prior to September 28, 2018. From that date, the rating was increased to 50%. The earlier effective date for TDIU is denied.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bicuspid aortic valve and mitral valve prolapse, finding that the Veteran's heart disability was aggravated by military service.
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