The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for mitral valve endocarditis with mitral valve regurgitation, degeneration, and heart enlargement as his cardiac disability was not aggravated by active duty service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s cardiac disability clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and was not aggravated beyond its natural progression during service.
- Claimed conditions
- mitral valve endocarditis with mitral valve regurgitation, degeneration, and heart enlargement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 9, 2018
- Citation
- 18124780
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 18124780.
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).
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