The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for valvular heart disease with orthostatic hypotension and allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinusitis) because the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was no persuasive evidence linking the veteran's current valvular heart disease with orthostatic hypotension and allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinusitis) to his period of active service, including any alleged exposures to herbicide agents or radiation on Johnston Atoll.
- Claimed conditions
- valvular heart disease with orthostatic hypotension, allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinusitis)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 2, 2025
- Citation
- A25030284
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeal for service connection claims related to allergic rhinitis, migraines, right knee condition, and back condition.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
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.