The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected heart condition was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,Service connection for gout, left shoulder disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and genitourinary system disability were all denied due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's METs level was 6, his left ventricular dysfunction ejection fraction was greater than 50 percent, and he did not have congestive heart failure. Therefore, the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent were not met.,There is no evidence that the Veteran’s gout began during service or was related to any in-service injury, event, or disease. The medical opinions provided by VA also supported this conclusion.
- Claimed conditions
- aortic valve replacement, status post bacterial endocarditis with renal insufficiency and hypertension, gout, left shoulder disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, left kidney disability, genitourinary system disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 10, 2020
- Citation
- 20039557
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 20039557.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his bilateral knee and hip disabilities.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the July 2012 VA examination for the Veteran's left knee disability, and a new addendum opinion is needed.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's gout claim for additional development, including obtaining an adequate VA examination and ensuring all relevant records are obtained. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.
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