The Board denied service connection for polymyositis and patent foramen ovale (PFO) as the evidence did not show a causal relationship to active service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined that the Veteran does not have a direct causal relationship between his claimed conditions and his active service.
- Claimed conditions
- polymyositis, patent foramen ovale (PFO)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 11, 2021
- Citation
- 21028709
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 21028709.
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 claims for service connection for polymyositis and antisynthetase syndrome are remanded due to the submission of new evidence, including a TERA memo. A VA examination is required to assess whether these conditions are related to his military service, specifically his participation in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA).
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of lipomas, scleroderma, and polymyositis.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for anti-synthetase syndrome (ASSD) and its associated conditions including interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, polymyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Raynaud's syndrome. The decision also grants secondary service connection for these conditions as they are manifestations of ASSD.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for polymyositis and GERD, both of which are related to the Veteran's service-connected esophageal cancer.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.