The Veteran's service-connected aortic valve replacement disability was evaluated as 30 percent disabling prior to March 31, 2003 and as 60 percent disabling from December 28, 2009. The claims for increased ratings were denied, and the claim for TDIU prior to March 31, 2003 was also denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations conducted did not provide evidence that met the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7016 (for heart disabilities), including METs of greater than 5 or less than 3, left ventricular ejection fraction below 30 percent, chronic congestive heart failure, or other findings indicative of more severe disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Aortic valve replacement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 20, 2011
- Citation
- 1115470
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 1115470.
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 Veteran was granted individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis from November 19, 2011, to March 7, 2013.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's in-service asbestos exposure and his cause of death. The VA examiner needs to provide a detailed opinion on whether these respiratory and cardiovascular issues were at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's cause of death is attributed to acute on chronic renal failure due to or as a consequence of hypertension, with other significant conditions contributing to his death including COPD, Marfan syndrome, and gastrointestinal bleed. The Board finds service connection for the cause of death is warranted.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's disability rating for status post aortic valve replacement with history of rheumatic heart disease should be reduced from 100% to 10%, effective February 1, 2005.
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