The Veteran's heart condition is not service-connected, but her lower body numbness and pain are presumed to be due to Gulf War service. The post-viral asthenia with Epstein Barr virus history is rated as analogous to chronic fatigue syndrome.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no current diagnosed heart disorder, but the Veteran's symptoms of a rapid heart rate and palpitations were related to her service-connected PTSD and anxiety disorders.
- Claimed conditions
- Heart condition, Undiagnosed illness (lower body numbness and pain), Post viral asthenia with history of Epstein Barr virus
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- September 8, 2009
- Citation
- 0933582
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 0933582.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for service connection of a heart condition is dismissed as the Board has already granted it. The appeal for increased rating of PTSD is also dismissed due to the grant of service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, basal cell carcinoma, bilateral pseudophakia, dry eye syndrome and blepharitis (bilateral eye conditions), diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and heart condition due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's exposure to asbestos is conceded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, basal cell carcinoma, bilateral pseudophakia, dry eye syndrome and blepharitis (bilateral eye conditions), diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and heart condition due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's exposure to asbestos is conceded.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of a heart condition as secondary to his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with anxiety, alcohol use disorder, and stimulant use disorder. The decision is based on evidence showing that the Veteran's heart condition is related to his long-term alcohol use disorder.
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