The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for mitral valve prolapse and degenerative arthritis of the spine, as well as his claim for TDIU due to these disabilities. The decision also notes that a new examination is needed in order to properly assess the severity of these conditions.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there were inconsistencies between the Veteran's reported activities and those noted during previous examinations, which may reflect worsening of his mitral valve prolapse and degenerative arthritis of the spine. The Board also noted that the impact of these disabilities on work capacity must be addressed upon remand.
- Claimed conditions
- mitral valve prolapse, degenerative arthritis of the spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 20, 2019
- Citation
- 19148283
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for a deviated septum and right wrist pain, while denying service connection for sleep apnea. The decision also addressed various rating issues and effective dates.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for basal cell carcinoma and a higher initial disability rating of 70 percent for other specified trauma-and-stressor-related disorder, while denying increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, right lower radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, chronic rhinitis, tension headaches, and mitral valve prolapse.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's service-connected mitral valve prolapse was denied a rating in excess of 60 percent prior to January 11, 2008 and from July 12, 2008 to December 22, 2024. However, the Board granted a 100 percent rating for this condition from January 11, 2008 to July 11, 2008 and from December 23, 2024 onwards.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for left hand and right hand essential tremors, as well as increased ratings for knee instability, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and degenerative arthritis of the right ankle. The appeal was denied for a left ankle disability.
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