The Board finds that the Veteran's heart condition, including as due to exposure to herbicides, does not meet the criteria for service connection. The pre-existing congenital defects are not considered a disease or injury under VA compensation laws and regulations.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bicuspid aortic valve, LBBB, and mild aortic stenosis were found to be congenital defects that clearly and unmistakably preexisted his military service and were not aggravated in service. The Veteran's cardiomyopathy initially manifested many years after service, and the preponderance of the competent evidence is against finding a link between such condition and service, including herbicide exposure therein.
- Claimed conditions
- bicuspid aortic valve, LBBB, mild aortic stenosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 7, 2012
- Citation
- 1230715
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 1230715.
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 has granted service connection for bicuspid aortic valve and mitral valve prolapse, finding that the Veteran's heart disability was aggravated by military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's heart disability, including coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, and heart murmur. The claim will be further developed with a new VA examination.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a heart problem, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether his valvular heart disease, including mild aortic stenosis and hypertensive heart disease, is related to his active service, specifically herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam.
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