The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart conditions, including mitral valve stenosis and chronic atrial fibrillation, were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The condition of mitral valve stenosis is considered to have existed prior to service and was a natural progression of rheumatic heart disease.
The deciding factor: The pre-existence of the conditions and their progression over time are considered undebatable evidence that they did not occur during service or were aggravated by it.
- Claimed conditions
- mitral valve stenosis, chronic atrial fibrillation
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 15, 2011
- Citation
- 1130253
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 1130253.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for the cause of death and burial benefits due to a lack of medical opinion regarding the Veteran's exposure at Camp Lejeune, which could impact his eligibility for these benefits.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter to obtain a TERA opinion and relevant treatment records as part of the duty to assist.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease and remanded other issues related to heart disability, respiratory disability, colorectal cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status, TDIU, and basic eligibility for DEA.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's cause of death was listed as cardiac arrest, but the Board is remanding to determine if his coronary artery disease, chronic atrial fibrillation, and congestive heart failure were a contributory cause. The VA examiner's opinion was inadequate, and an addendum from a cardiologist is needed.
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