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Denied

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability and hypertension, both claimed as secondary to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Veteran's heart attack in 2011 is not considered service-connected due to lack of evidence showing its onset during or immediately after service. Hypertension was also not shown to have had its onset within one year following service discharge.,The Board found no direct service connection for the conditions, and did not find presumptive service connection based on chronic diseases.

The deciding factor: There is insufficient evidence showing that the heart disability or hypertension were incurred in or aggravated by active duty service. The Veteran's service records do not indicate any history of these conditions during his period of service.,The Board also found no evidence to support a finding that the conditions became manifest within one year following service discharge, which would allow for presumptive service connection.

Claimed conditions
heart disability, hypertension
How they argued it
Secondary to another service-connected condition
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
December 17, 2020
Citation
20079847

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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 20079847.

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