The Board found that the veteran's congenital heart valve defect existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. The Board also determined that it is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.
The deciding factor: The pre-existing condition (congenital heart valve defect) clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that it was aggravated by service. The Board also found that the veteran's current cardiovascular disability is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.
- Claimed conditions
- Congenital Heart Valve Defect
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 25, 2007
- Citation
- 0733605
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 0733605.
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).
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- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service connected due to his fear of hostile military activity during his Vietnam service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune during service.
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