The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, finding that his pre-existing conditions did not meet the criteria for aggravation during service and thus could not be service-connected.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the Veteran's heart block and rheumatic heart disease were pre-existing conditions that did not meet the criteria for aggravation during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Heart Block, Rheumatic Heart Disease
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 13, 2017
- Citation
- 1757536
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 1757536.
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 rating for the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) status post CABG was reduced from 100% to 30%, effective March 1, 2025. The reduction was proper as there was improvement in his condition under ordinary conditions of life and work.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's heart block is granted as secondary to service-connected sleep apnea, hypertension, and PTSD. The issue of a heart disability other than those already service connected is remanded.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's heart block does not require medication, and his left ventricular ejection fraction was 65 percent. The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for heart block as the condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7015.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is rated at 60 percent for the period prior to July 1, 2022. The Board also granted a TDIU for this period and dismissed the appeal for a TDIU from July 1, 2022 onwards as moot.
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