The Board found that the veteran's current paraplegia was caused by his intoxication at the time of a 1982 motor vehicle accident, which resulted in willful misconduct. Therefore, the disability is considered to be due to his own willful misconduct and not service-connected.
The deciding factor: The evidence supported a finding that the veteran was intoxicated at the time of the accident, leading to his current disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Paraplegia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 20, 2001
- Citation
- 0111561
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0111561.
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 Board has remanded the case due to a lack of consideration of potentially favorable evidence regarding the Veteran's need for personal care services and supervision.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, as there is conflicting evidence indicating that the Veteran may not be in need of assistance for ADLs. The CEAT must provide a new medical determination considering all medical information of record.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's request to recognize L.L. as his child for VA benefits purposes due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining age 18, based on medical evidence showing significant physical limitations and dependency.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted an earlier effective date of September 13, 2006 for the award of service connection for loss of use of the bilateral lower extremities. The issue of entitlement to a higher level of SMC at the R-1 rate is remanded.
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.