The veteran's carotid artery disease, which he underwent surgery for in 2003, is considered to have been aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board finds that with the resolution of reasonable doubt in the veteran's favor, his carotid artery disease may be considered to have been aggravated by his diabetes for purposes of awarding service connection benefits.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's carotid artery disease was likely related to other lifestyle choices rather than his diabetes, but also found it unlikely that the veteran's diabetes caused an increase in severity of his carotid artery disease. The Board resolved reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- carotid artery disease, cerebrovascular accident
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 16, 2005
- Citation
- 0533984
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 0533984.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected hypertension, cerebrovascular accident, and coronary artery disease are found to be causally linked to his ME/CFS. Service connection for ME/CFS is granted.
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The Board has granted service connection for aortic insufficiency, aortic stenosis and congestive heart failure, and carotid artery disease. The conditions are related to in-service exposure to toxic substances and stress.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special home adaptation as defined by VA regulations.
- Granted
Service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted.,The claim for compensation under 38 C.F.R. § 1151 for cerebrovascular accident is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
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