The Veteran's residuals of rheumatic fever with a heart valve disorder, abnormal EKG, and a first degree AV block resulted in an activity level of 10 METs prior to June 21, 2010. The Board finds that this does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's METs level was consistently below 5 METs, which is required for a higher disability rating under Diagnostic Code 7015.
- Claimed conditions
- rheumatic fever, heart valve disorder, abnormal electrocardiogram (EKG), first degree atrioventricular (AV) block
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 7, 2011
- Citation
- 1100873
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1100873.
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: Partly granted
The veteran's claims for service connection for several conditions, including low back disability and diabetes mellitus, type II, were granted. The claim for rheumatic fever was remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the appeal for further development due to new evidence added since the April 2024 supplemental statement of the case and consideration of both the former and revised versions of the rating criteria.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeals for service connection for high cholesterol, heart valve disorder, left hip disability, right hip disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and back disability are dismissed. The Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a heart valve disorder is granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for IBS, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart valve disorder, and bilateral leg pain. The claims are now remanded due to new evidence suggesting a possible link between these conditions and the Veteran's presumed exposure at Camp Lejeune.
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