The Board denied service connection for a heart murmur, hypertension, and pregnancy-related disorders. The Veteran's heart murmur was found to be benign and not indicative of valvular heart disease. Her hypertension is not considered to have begun during or within one year after her active duty service.,Service connection for the Veteran’s heart murmur and pregnancy-related disorders were denied as there was no evidence of a diagnosed condition in service, nor did the conditions manifest within one year of separation from service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed heart disorder or hypertension. The preponderance of the evidence showed that her heart murmur and hypertension were benign findings during service and did not meet the criteria for a current disability.,Service connection was denied because there is no evidence showing that the Veteran's heart murmur, hypertension, or pregnancy-related disorders began during or within one year after her active duty service.
- Claimed conditions
- Heart murmur, Hypertension, Pregnancy related disorder (HELLP syndrome and preeclampsia)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 26, 2021
- Citation
- 21010941
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 21010941.
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).
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- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 10% rating for hypertension effective December 1, 2025 and denied a rating in excess of 10%. The reduction from 10% to noncompensable was not proper.
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