The Board found that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to show that the Veteran's current heart disability was aggravated by service, nor does he have a currently diagnosed heart disability related to his military service. The claim for service connection for a heart disability has been denied.
The deciding factor: There is no clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation during service or any currently diagnosed heart condition that is related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- rheumatic valvulitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 29, 2016
- Citation
- 1602949
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 1602949.
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 claim for service connection for heart condition, finding that his rheumatic valvulitis preexisted service and was not aggravated by service. The Board also found no evidence of any increase in severity beyond natural progression during service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a medical opinion to determine if his rheumatic valvulitis preexisted service and was not aggravated by service, and whether he currently has a heart disorder attributable to service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a medical opinion to determine if his rheumatic valvulitis preexisted service, if there is clear and unmistakable evidence that it did not permanently increase in severity during service, and if it is at least as likely as not attributable to service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records from Dr. Yuviencho in Cape Coral, Florida.
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