The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected mitral valve regurgitation, aortic valve disorders and mitral murmur, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current level of disability.
The deciding factor: The VA medical examination indicated that the veteran's current breathing problems were not due to his service-connected heart conditions. The impairment caused by the service-connected disabilities was found to be 'very mild' and 'trivial'. There was no evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilation, nor congestive heart failure within the past year.
- Claimed conditions
- mitral valve regurgitation, aortic valve disorders, mitral murmur
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- February 10, 2006
- Citation
- 0604066
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 the Appellant's request for an earlier effective date for the Veteran's service-connected mitral valve regurgitation with congestive heart failure, finding that the appeal was a freestanding claim and not valid as it did not challenge the original decision on CUE.
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The Board has remanded the case due to unclear diagnoses and a need for further examination regarding the Veteran's heart conditions, particularly ischemic heart disease associated with herbicide exposure.
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- Remanded (sent back)
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