The Board found that the veteran's arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular accident were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor are they proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by a service-connected disability.
The deciding factor: The VA medical expert concluded that there was no data regarding the relationship between nicotine dependence (and cardiovascular disease) where there had been an eight-year history of cigarette smoking followed by a 35-year period of abstinence.
- Claimed conditions
- arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular accident
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 20, 2001
- Citation
- 0126553
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0126553.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for cerebrovascular accident, eczema, and valvular heart disease with supraventricular tachycardia to obtain updated TERA memo and VA medical examinations.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for hypertension and conditions secondary to it, including peripheral vascular disease, cerebrovascular accident, left side weakness, and chronic kidney disease.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for hypertension, cerebrovascular accident, and vascular dementia were granted, while his claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for cerebrovascular accident, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertensive heart disease, left lower extremity neuropathy, and left upper extremity neuropathy due to untimely notice of disagreement. The appeal for Parkinsonism was remanded for further development.
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