The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, left hip replacement, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's heart condition was not shown to be related to his active service or within a presumptive period due to lack of evidence of chronicity in service. Service connection was also denied for the Veteran's left hip and back disabilities as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran’s current heart condition, left hip replacement, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with his active service. The Board also noted that the Veteran's statements regarding in-service events were not sufficient to trigger VA's duty to assist.
- Claimed conditions
- coronary artery disease, left hip replacement, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 12, 2018
- Citation
- 18117891
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 18117891.
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 an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and stroke as there was no evidence of herbicide agent exposure during service and the medical opinions were against a nexus to service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction is granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Korea.
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