The Board found that the Veteran's ischemic stroke and small bowel obstruction were not caused by his service-connected conditions, but rather by other risk factors such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation.
The deciding factor: The medical literature did not support a connection between cold injury residuals or peripheral neuropathy of the feet to ischemic stroke or small bowel obstruction. The Veteran's non-service connected conditions were deemed more likely contributing causes.
- Claimed conditions
- Ischemic Stroke, Small Bowel Obstruction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 1, 2016
- Citation
- 1603273
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 1603273.
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: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to care for daily personal needs or to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment without assistance of others, thus SMC based on aid and attendance is denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for headaches, dizziness/vertigo, and hypertension. The Board also denied the Veteran's requests for a higher rating for PTSD and special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance/housebound status.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus as secondary to herbicide-agent exposure. The issues of ischemic stroke, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's death was due to VA negligence in managing his small bowel obstruction, leading to additional disability and death. The Board has granted DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.
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