The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart valve condition, finding that there was no evidence of a diagnosed heart valve condition during service or within one year of separation. The examiner also considered the Veteran's functional heart murmur and found it less likely than not related to his current heart valve disorder.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that there is no direct service connection for the heart valve condition, as there was no evidence of a diagnosed heart valve condition during service or within one year of separation. The examiner also concluded that the Veteran's functional heart murmur did not predispose him to develop current heart valve conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- heart valve condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 15, 2020
- Citation
- 20040507
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 20040507.
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 claim for service connection for hypertension is granted. The Board finds the criteria for service connection are met and the claim is granted. Service connection for a heart valve condition is remanded due to conflicting theories of entitlement.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded issues related to heart conditions, acquired psychiatric disorders (including depression), hypertension, and sleep apnea.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the other issues due to lack of evidence. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, but a new examination is needed to determine if it warrants an increased rating. Glaucoma and eye condition are also remanded as there is insufficient medical opinion on their etiology. Heart valve condition is also remanded for herbicide exposure.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart valve condition, finding that it is less likely than not related to his scarlet fever contracted during service.
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