The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 12, 1998, for the current 30 percent rating for his service-connected MVP.
The deciding factor: The evidence of record prior to January 12, 1998 did not show that the Veteran's MVP was analogous to rheumatic heart disease or a diastolic murmur or a definitely enlarged heart.
- Claimed conditions
- mitral valve prolapse (MVP)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 9, 2009
- Citation
- 0938709
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 0938709.
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: Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 05, 2021 for a 100 percent rating for mitral valve prolapse and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance based on permanent and total disability status.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for rectal cancer, finding that the evidence did not support a link between his in-service radiation exposure and his current condition. The claim for service connection for mitral valve prolapse was remanded for further development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to ambiguities surrounding the Veteran's heart condition and a need for clarification regarding whether she currently has MVP and if it is related to service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability other than ischemic heart disease and MVP, finding that there is no competent evidence of a nexus between his current diagnoses and his military service.
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