The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis caused or aggravated his current cardiovascular disease diagnosed as artherosclerosis of the carotid arteries, and therefore grants service connection for this disorder on a secondary basis.
The deciding factor: The chronic disability manifested by high cholesterol and triglycerides (atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries) was found to be caused by the Veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis.
- Claimed conditions
- atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries, high cholesterol, high triglycerides
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 23, 2012
- Citation
- 1228908
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1228908.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Denied
The Veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss claims are denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's high cholesterol, dementia, stroke, prostate cancer, cataracts, diabetes, hypertension, CHF, and myocardial infarction claims are denied due to lack of service connection evidence or insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the disabilities and active duty service.,The Veteran was exposed to toxins during his military service but there is no evidence linking these exposures to any of the claimed conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's hair loss and high cholesterol were denied as they are not considered disabilities for VA compensation purposes.,The Veteran's left arm condition was remanded due to inadequate examination, requiring a new evaluation.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the AOJ failing to obtain relevant private treatment records from Dr. K.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's child is not eligible for VA benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1805 for spina bifida because the evidence does not support a diagnosis of this condition.
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