The Board found that the Veteran's aortic sclerosis, osteoporosis and compression fracture of the thoracolumbar spine, and presbyopia, cataracts, pterygium, and age-related macular degeneration were not incurred or aggravated by service. The conditions are considered to be unrelated to his military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's aortic sclerosis was less likely than not related to his military service due to the presence of an innocent murmur during service, which is more commonly seen in elderly adults and may have been caused by physical activity or exercise. The examiner also noted that mild aortic sclerosis is common in elderly adults.
- Claimed conditions
- aortic sclerosis, osteoporosis and compression fracture of the thoracolumbar spine, presbyopia, cataracts, pterygium, and age-related macular degeneration
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 20, 2017
- Citation
- 1728483
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 1728483.
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 case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart conditions, including paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and mitral valve insufficiency. The Veteran contends that his heart conditions are related to service exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange).
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for aortic sclerosis, finding that it was caused by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's original 60 percent rating for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with myocardial infarction and aortic sclerosis, effective May 1, 2024, finding that the reduction was improper due to lack of actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's heart conditions and their relationship to her service-connected disabilities, as well as obesity. The VA must obtain additional evidence and provide further examination.
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