The VA determined that the veteran's valvular heart disease did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation prior to November 8, 2005.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence showed that the veteran's METs level was no lower than 10 and did not result in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness or syncope, or evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilation on electrocardiogram, echocardiogram or X-ray.
- Claimed conditions
- Valvular Heart Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 26, 2008
- Citation
- 0833215
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 0833215.
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: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection and initial ratings for obstructive sleep apnea, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal for valvular heart disease was also dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's heart condition, which is related to service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that there is not substantial compliance with its remand directives and requires further development for the issues of service connection for a heart disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral restless leg syndrome. The VA medical opinions obtained were inadequate to support the decisions on these claims.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 12, 2010 and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter is dismissed. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective from October 31, 2008.
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