The Board denied service connection for organic heart disease and HIV infection/AIDS, as new and material evidence was not received. The Veteran's PTSD claim is also denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor actually occurred.
The deciding factor: PTSD criteria were not met because there was no established exposure to a traumatic event (in this case, sexual assault) and the diagnosis of PTSD was made without documentation of the required criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Organic heart disease, HIV infection/AIDS
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 5, 2015
- Citation
- 1505444
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1505444.
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: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for HIV infection/AIDS and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service connection claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, organic heart disease, right leg disability, residuals of head injury (headaches), and left heel contusion were denied as the evidence did not establish a direct relationship to service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The veteran's organic heart disease, which is a presumptive service connection condition for former POWs, contributed to his death. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.