The Board denied the claim for service connection for ischemic cardiomyopathy as caused by schistosomiasis, finding that there was no evidence linking the two conditions.
The deciding factor: VA examiners found no medical literature linking schistosomiasis to ischemic cardiomyopathy and their opinions were more probative than a private physician's opinion based on unsupported assumptions.
- Claimed conditions
- ischemic cardiomyopathy, schistosomiasis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 2, 2019
- Citation
- 19124214
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, attributing it to active military service and exposure to toxins.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, attributing his systolic heart failure, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and coronary artery disease to active military service, including exposure to toxins.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for hypertension and the cause of death, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic cardiomyopathy, diabetes type II, and left lower extremity PAD are remanded. The Board needs more information about the Veteran's exposures during service.
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