The Veteran's claim for service connection for a valvular heart disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination to determine if his current condition is related to any documented heart conditions from 1977.
The deciding factor: Additional medical evidence and opinion are needed to establish whether the Veteran's current heart disorder is related to any heart conditions diagnosed or treated in 1977 during the first year following separation from active duty.
- Claimed conditions
- valvular heart disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 3, 2009
- Citation
- 0946049
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 0946049.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to valvular heart disorder, which is presumed associated with herbicide exposure under the PACT Act. The Veteran's hypertension, also presumptively linked to his service-connected ischemic heart disease, contributed to his valvular heart disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current cardiovascular disease found, including rheumatic fever residuals and/or valvular heart disorder. The Veteran's service-connected conditions (PTB and erythema nodosum) are also considered in determining whether these conditions may be related to her current symptoms.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, valvular heart disorder, and arthritis. The claim to reopen the issue of service connection for swollen joints was also denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted. The veteran's nasal fracture with nasal deformity was granted service connection but assigned a noncompensable rating.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the veteran's valvular heart disorder was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to military service. The claim for service connection is denied.
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