The Board denied service connection for various heart conditions and entitlement to a TDIU, finding that the evidence does not support a causal relationship between the Veteran's current heart disabilities and his military service.
The deciding factor: The February 2024 VA examiner opined that the Veteran's heart disabilities did not begin in service and are less likely than not caused by service. The Board found this opinion more probative due to its detailed analysis and supporting rationale, compared to a conclusory opinion from Dr. H.C.
- Claimed conditions
- valvular heart disease, arteriosclerotic heart disease with ischemia, atrioventricular block, supraventricular arrhythmia with atrial fibrillation, sinus arrhythmia, and implantable cardiac pacemaker, cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 18, 2024
- Citation
- 24031988
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a 100 percent rating for valvular heart disease based on MET testing showing that at a workload of 3 METs or less, the condition results in fatigue and breathlessness.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral cataracts, dry eye syndrome, allergic conjunctivitis, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy, and atrial fibrillation as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by an in-service event.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeal for service connection for supraventricular arrhythmia, chronic paronychia, psoriasis and rosacea (claimed as skin condition), pulmonary nodules, and valvular heart disease.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of August 6, 2021 for service connection for heart disease based on the Veteran's exposure to chemicals in service.
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.